Register

HOW DO YOU REGISTER?
It is a simple process to join the National Marrow Registry. Only then, can we identify which potential donor has life saving marrow.


WHO CAN REGISTER?

• Everyone between 18-60.
• You may register even if you are anemic, underweight, pregnant, suffering from flu or allergies, or you have tattoo or body pierced, or visited India or Pakistan recently.
• You have to register only ONCE.
• You cannot register if you have severe medical condition, heart attack, cancer or diabetes (that requires medicine)

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Matching Bone Marrow:
You are likely to find it in people of your own background - South Asian from South Asians. Even then your odds may be (as low as) one out of one hundred thousand.

What do you need to do?
Due to changes in the initial testing process, blood samples are no longer required! A cotton swab is used to obtain a cheek cell sample. You simply need to brush a cotton swab against the inside of your cheek for approximately 10 seconds using the same force used to brush your teeth.

What happens if you match?
Many years from now you might get a phone call that you may have life saving bone marrow. After a blood test to confirm you are a match, it is your choice whether or not you wish to proceed. If you agree to give the Gift of Life then…Under general anesthesia (while you feel no pain), at no cost to you, less than 5% of your marrow will be removed with the help of a needle. No bones need to be cut. You might be sore for a week or two. You make up that marrow in LESS THAN 3 WEEKS! You will know that someone is alive because of your big heart and your unique marrow. Newer techniques make it possible to remove your bone marrow thru your arm veins. We may not need to get it from your bone!!