Help Save a Life - Bone Marrow Donor Registry Drive Sept. 2 at the Karmanos Cancer Center

DETROIT, MI – Everyone can help save a life by taking a simple test to register as a potential bone marrow donor. On Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center, in collaboration with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), will host a donor registry drive to increase participation in the Be The Match Registry, operated by the NMDP. Every year, more than 10,000 Americans are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases, such as leukemia or lymphoma, and their best or only hope of a cure is a transplant from an unrelated donor or cord blood unit. Most people in need of a transplant, about 70 percent, do not have a matching donor within their family. They depend on the Be The Match Registry – the world’s largest and most diverse registry of potential volunteer adult marrow donors and donated cord blood – to find a matched unrelated donor. While many patients do find a life-saving match, more donors are needed, especially those from racially and ethnically diverse communities, to be able to help all patients. The Karmanos Cancer Center has been on the forefront of cancer research and care, creating its Bone Marrow Treatment Program in 1980. Karmanos also operates the J.P. McCarthy Cord Stem Cell Bank, one of the highest inventories of minority cord blood units listed within the Be The Match Registry. More than 260 bone marrow and cord blood transplants took place at Karmanos last year alone, and yet thousands of other critically ill people of all ages wait and hope for a bone marrow or cord blood match to save their life. If more people join the Be The Match Registry more lives could be saved. You can help!

WHAT:   Bone Marrow Donor Registry Drive WHEN:   Wednesday, Sept. 2 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. WHERE:   Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center, first floor Wertz Classroom 4100 John R, (between E. Warren and Mack Ave.) Detroit, MI 48201 Parking will be validated for participants parking at the Karmanos Cancer Center valet parking area only.

WHAT’S INVOLVED? To be a member of the Be The Match Registry, participants will go through a health history form and take a swab of cheek cells. Each person’s information is coded for confidentiality. The NMDP will contact volunteer participants if they are a potential match for a searching patient and coordinate further testing and information sessions. Every person who joins the registry gives patients hope, and new patient searches begin every day. WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE? Eligible participants need to be between the ages of 18 – 60, in general good health and willing to donate to any patient in need. HOW TO HELP: Join the Be The Match Registry on Sept. 2. You do not need to make a reservation. If you are not able to come but would like more information about the Be The Match Registry and ways to get involved, call 313-494-2809 or visit BeTheMatch.org to join online. Everyone can help save lives.

For more information on the Be The Match Registry call 313-494-2809 or visit BeTheMatch.org. For more information on the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center’s Bone Marrow Program or Karmanos’ J.P. McCarthy Cord Stem Cell Bank, call 1-800-KARMANOS or visit www.karmanos.org.

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1. Help Save a Life - Bone Marrow Donor Registry Drive Sept. 2 at the Karmanos Cancer Center