A Lincoln family is hosting a marrow drive in honor of Johna Kozak, who has acute myelogenous leukemia. If you have ever thought about donating bone marrow, this is a good opportunity.
I have thought for a long time about donating bone marrow. My interest began several years ago when I had to have bone marrow drawn for some tests, and it grew when a childhood friend died of leukemia. I'm ashamed to say I still haven't gone through with the preliminary screening.
For the average person on the street, it's no surprise that donating bone marrow isn't high on their list. The testing process itself costs $25. Not many people are willing to front that sort of money to have their cheeks swabbed. And then there is the actual donation process. It isn't for the faint of heart. Consider: they take a long, metal straw, jab it deep into your hip, and suck. Having had bone marrow withdrawn I can tell you that it's not at all painful at the time and only slightly uncomfortable. But it is much more complicated than giving blood, and it can lead to soreness and complications afterward.
Here's hoping they soon come up with an easier way to donate, or better yet, come up with a way to use a patient's own cells.
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Some things to consider when donating marrow:
1. The cost of screening may be waived if done through the American Red Cross. The screening cost can cost upwards of $70 depending on where you donate.
2. There are two ways to donate…the first is as you mention. The second is through a “normal” blood draw, like donating blood. I don’t know the specifics but you are given some drugs to increase your pleuripotent cells (marrow cells).
3. The rules for donating blood and bone marrow are different. In most cases the bone marrow rules aren’t as stringent as blood donating rules.
4. When you sign up to be a donor, you are on the list until age 60 (or 65). The bone marrow registry EXPECTS you to donate if a match is found, unless you tell them well in advance you want to be off the list.
5. Donating via bone marrow suction has it’s drawbacks, largely pain and side effects from anesthesia.
If you are seriously considering donating marrow, contact your local bone marrow donor center, which can be found (along with other information) at http://www.marrow.org/
Thanks, Christopher!
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