We Need You Now, More than Ever
When Bill Green – a minister friend from Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church in Lexington, SC –  learned he was in need of a bone marrow transplant … another friend offered to help coordinate a bone marrow drive.  Now that Bill has learned that his siblings are not matches, the bone marrow drive is going to be even more crucial for him.Â
Bill says many people have asked how they can help him…now he is asking for your help by registering with the National Marrow Donor Program. Â He feels that even if he isn’t helped by your donation – SOMEONE else may be.The National Marrow Donor Program is the largest registry for bone marrow transplants. Â
Bone marrow transplant is a life changing treatment – but for many it is the only hope for a cure. Â Bill has been told he has a 80/20 percent of recovery with a transplant.
An interesting fact is that 11 million people are registered. Â 6,000 people search the registry daily. Â Approximately 300 matches receive transplants per month….many are still searching.A donor must be between the ages of 18 and 60 and be in reasonably good health.
At the drive, a medical questionaire will be filled out and a cheek cell swab collection obtained (painless) for tissue matching.  A charge of $52 is for tissue matching (Saxe Gotha is looking for sponsors to pay for those who cannot afford the fee).For more information on the bone marrow donation process please visit the NMDP web site at www.marrow.org. The drive will be in early October. Â
If you can be there or wish to help…PLEASE call 609-1817 or email at alice.markowitz@btitelecom.net. Â
My wish for you today is that you never find yourself in the place Bill finds himself now. What a gift of life you will give if you are able to share your bone marrow with someone in need…perhaps ever Bill. Â
~ Joellen