DOD Marrow Donor registration drive: A few minutes can save a life

  • Published
  • By Maj. Jeffrey J. Dietrich
  • 60th Medical Operations Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  David Grant USAF Medical Center will host two Department of Defense Marrow Donor registration drives with the first on April 19 in conjunction with a base-wide blood drive from Noon to 4 p.m. in DGMC's Radiology waiting area, and outside the Bloodmobile at the Base Exchange and the other April 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Base Exchange lobby.

Each day, thousands of people wait for a potentially lifesaving bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow transplants can treat more than 70 different potentially fatal diseases such as leukemia and certain other cancers. For many patients, a marrow transplant is the only treatment option that provides a cure.

Unfortunately, more than 70 percent of those in need of a marrow transplant do not have a family member who is a suitable match and therefore, must rely on finding a match through the National Marrow Donor Program. The NMDP was established in 1986 to help patients in need and their doctors find a suitable match.

Since then, more than eight million people in the United States -- including more than 400,000 servicemembers -- have registered, with the numbers almost doubling since 2000. Additionally, almost 5,000 transplants per year are made possible through the NMDP. Despite this, many patients are still unable to find a suitable match through the NMDP.

"The more people who enroll in the NMDP, the better the chance we will someday be able to meet the needs of all those waiting for a lifesaving transplant," said Staff Sgt. Roberto Esquivel, 60th Medical Operations Squadron Allergy/Immunology technician at David Grant USAF Medical Center.

All active duty military members and their dependents, DoD civilians, Reservists, Retirees and others with DoD ID cards from ages 18 to 60 are eligible to enroll.

"There are very few disqualifiers from being able to register," said Lt. Col. Mark LaShell, 60th MDOS chief of Immunology at DGMC. "In fact, many people who are excluded from donating blood are still eligible to donate marrow," Colonel LaShell explained. "If you are not sure whether you have registered before, or whether you qualify to donate, come by and we can answer any questions you may have."

According to Colonel LaShell, the DoD marrow donor registration process is quick, painless, easy and free. "Stop by one of the marrow registration drives April 19 and 28. It will only take a few minutes of your time to address any questions you may have, and to fill out our screening questionnaire," said Colonel LaShell.

Testing is needle-free. It consists of a cotton-tipped swab rubbed on the inside of your cheek to obtain a few cells. The kit is then sent off to a central lab, where the swabs are analyzed and you are registered. In the future, if you are a good match for someone in need of a marrow transplant you will be contacted to see if you are still willing and able to donate. A fairly simple process, which can yield life-saving results.

If you are selected, there will be no cost to you for your involvement. A majority of the time, the process for obtaining the marrow cells is very similar to giving a blood donation.

"If you can spare a few minutes of your time on April 28, please come by our booth in the BX lobby to get registered," said Sergeant Esquivel. "You just might someday be the match for someone in need and have the opportunity to save their life."

When else could a few minutes of your time potentially make such a difference?