Happy Anniversary to me!
On November 11, 2010, I became a member of the Be The Match(R) Registry and took the first step to help save someone's life. Until I got an email this past week asking me to renew my pledge to give bone marrow, I had forgotten how long I had actually been on the registry.
Growing up, my mother always encouraged my siblings and I to do anything to help those in need. She encouraged us to be organ donors, to donate blood every six weeks, and to be a marrow donor. She always led by example and we kids have definitely followed in her footsteps.
Anyways...back to the Be the Match(R) registry. I can remember exactly where I signed up. I was in college, walking out of the gym, when a young lady approached me and shared her survival story. A couple of cheek swabs later and some paperwork, I was signed up!
Since that day, I have never been called to donate bone marrow, but everyday I hope I get the call...a call that could possibly save someone's life.
What is Be The Match (R)? "For people with life-threatening blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, or other diseases, a cure exists. Over the past 25 years, Be The Match(R), operated by the National Marrow Donor Program(R) has managed the largest and most diverse marrow registry in the world."
How are you serving this Thanksgiving and Christmas season?
If you are interested in joining the registry, you can join online. Find out more information HERE.