Posted on 01/26/2006 4:00:50 PM PST by SandRat
U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii (Jan. 25, 2006) -- As the War on Terrorism continues, the increased threat of nuclear, biological and chemical warfare attacks continue. The Department of Defense, in preparation, has devised countermeasures to be ready for such an attack.
The DoD is sponsoring world-wide bone marrow drives on military installations that will help treat victims of nuclear, biological or chemical attacks.
“If a servicemember is attacked by a nuclear, biological or chemical weapon, it takes three days for their bone marrow to deteriorate,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrea Miles, the C.W. Bill Young DoD Marrow Donor Program Regional Coordinator for Hawaii and Alaska.
“There are also around 70 different blood diseases such as lymphoma, leukemia and anemia that add to the number of people that need these bone marrow transplants,” said Miles.
Bone marrow donor registries are in constant need of donors.
“The more people we have in our bone marrow registry, the quicker and easier it is to find a donor and get a transfusion,” she continued.
“If the victim is registered, it’s also quicker because we don’t have to run tests on them. It’s like life insurance if you register as a donor, because then it saves time if you’re the one in need.”
“The last bone marrow drive we had was this past December at Marine Corps Base, Kaneohe Bay, and we got just under 4,000 people to register. We need more people from K-Bay,” said Miles. “Since they deploy often, it’s very important for them to do it. It might save their own life.”
The process is very simple, and no longer requires a blood sample.
“It only takes around five minutes to complete the process. You have to fill out a short form on medical and ethnic backgrounds, so it’s easier to find matches for those in need of a donor,” said Miles. “We no longer take blood sample either. Now, we use mouth swabs to get your DNA, so it’s that much quicker.”
“It doesn’t cost anything to register. Anyone that is active duty, reserve, DoD civilians, dependents or regular civilians can participate, as long as they are between the ages of 18 and 60,” she said.
“In order for someone in Hawaii to conduct a bone marrow drive at their command they must first get permission from their commanding officer, then find a location to hold it -– where people pass through out the day (indoors or outdoors), set up a date, provide volunteers to help out, call me for supplies at 808-655-3229 and finally, conduct the drive,” said Miles.
According to Miles, servicemembers should take initiative and act accordingly not only for others in need of transplants, but for themselves as well.
PING
I wonder if I can register. I'm not in the Marines anymore.
I have "rare" blood (AB+). Wish I could help.
For those truly interested, contact the NMDP(link above). They will refer you to your local blood center or other group who can arrange DNA testing. It has been made as simple as possible. We collected a young lady today referred by NMDP and her cells are going to someone with chronic myelogenous leukemia. The donors truly feel great about their involvement. In addition to this appeal, pregnant women need to consider donating cord blood from their placentas. The NMDP also is very interested in this. A contact can put you in touch with a center if one exists in your area.
Join The Registry
A person of any race, ethnicity or gender who is 18 to 60 (up until 61st birthday) years old and who meets donation health guidelines can become a potential volunteer donor.
Before you join the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP) Registry, be sure you have all the information you need to make your decision:
See Reply #3
You and I have the same Blood Type.
I'm on it!! :o)
Yes, I registered ages ago and would feel very blessed if I was a match for someone in need.
Maybe one day we'll get that call. For now let's see if you and I can each talk someone into joining NMDP.
Thought you all might be so kind as to help spread the word on this worthy effort. Thank you.
Good deed in need of do-ers, ping; though the dreaded "C" word takes me out of the donor pool.
Been on the bone marrow donor registry since 1993 and looking foward to being called to donate someday!
Sorry Coop I would have to turn back the clock!
I got many midnight calls for 0 negative blood, but those have stopped now too. I guess I had my turn.
Our local Leukemia Society sure didn't make it easy. You had to be persistent in calling them to find out when the local drives were scheduled, because they wouldn't take your information on a call list and contact you when drives were coming up. I hope by now they've changed to make it more donor-friendly.
Most days I have to look in the mirror to realize I am not still 40-50. Never feel older than that.
Well, after I chase a 3 year old around for a day...maybe!
LOL.
Me too.
Before I ask what you're doing on the morrow, I mean marrow..
Early one morning I was alone in the kitchen reading a recipe for an oriental dish and I wondered aloud, "I wonder what tamari (a sesame oil, I later found out) is?" When I heard my oldest (who grew up down south) reply from behind me, "Tuesday."
LOL!
I'll send out some emails, too, Coop, about the marrow registry. Thanks!
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