The National Marrow Donors Program’s “Be the Match” registry is on campus from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. today in Free Speech Plaza to register students and others on campus as potential bone marrow donors.
Seventy percent of patients do not have a bone marrow match within their families, according to a University news release.
Kathy Saichuck, coordinator of the University Office of Health Promotion, said registration takes about 10 minutes and only requires a mouth swab.
Saichuk said someone’s life could depend on a student’s willingness to donate.
“Keep in mind, you have to be really committed to doing this,” she said.
She said people selected as a match will undergo more tests to make sure they and the patient are close enough for the marrow transplant to work.
This could mean three days in a hospital setting, but the surgery does not go into actual bone like it used to, and risk of infection is much lower than it used to be, she said.
Anesthesia is used for the actual donation process, so there is no pain during the procedure, according to, home of the “Be the Match” program.
A blood drive will also continue on Tower Drive today. It will run until Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Participants should remember to eat a full meal before donating blood, Saichuk said, noting that a muffin and coffee don’t count as a meal.
Before the holidays, blood drives are looking to stock up on all types of blood, although the rarer negative blood types are always in high demand, according to Saichuk.
Saichuk said holidays mean regular donors may be off schedule and not giving blood, so it is the perfect chance for new donors to begin giving.
‘Keep in mind, you have to be really committed to doing this.’
“Be the Match”
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Free Speech Plaza
What to know: No preparation necessary, no weight requirements.
How long: Ten minutes — Only registration takes place in Free Speech Plaza.
Blood Drive
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Tower Drive near Free Speech Plaza
What to know: Eat a full meal before donating. You must weigh at least 110 pounds.
How long: Allow an hour.
