Friday, May 4, 2012

Get Swabbed!

At last weekend's Hope and Heroes Annual Walk, members from the ITPCU team helped collect over 80 cheek swabs and new registrations in the international bone marrow registry!  

Getting registered is a easy, simple, quick yet incredibly impactful way to save a life.  Registration is quick and easy: just make sure you meet registration criteria and the eligibility requirements (http://marrow.org/Join/Join_Now/Join_Now.aspx?promo_code=DNA&src=CTAJoin), and request for a kit to be sent to you.  And swab away!

Steps to Swabbing:
1.  Rinse your mouth out with a small amount of water
2.  Take one swab and rub the inside of one cheek with circular motions for about 10 seconds.  Try not to touch anything else with the swab.  When done, place the swab cotton-tip side down into the envelope.


3.  Repeat with the second swab on the other side of the cheek.
 4.  Mail the swabs in and you're done!

Note:  While bone marrow donation is designed to be simple and easy, being registered is a serious commitment.  It is incredibly important that you understand the two procedures for bone marrow donation (http://marrow.org/Registry_Members/Donation/Steps_of_Donation.aspx#step2)  and are willing to donate to any patient in need.  It is often heartbreaking for families to learn about a bone marrow match only to have the donor back out later. You can get more information here: http://marrow.org/Join/Your_Commitment.aspx

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