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.
That doesn't sound normal. You probably just ran into someone not knowing the procedure. Again, don't let that turn you off. You could save a life.
I don't get queasy, I just pass out. Probably on par with your reaction to beauraucratic processes : )
I came real close to giving blood last winter, when notices kept arriving for my son. I felt he was giving enough and I should try again. I kept looking at the clock and looked at it until the blood drive was over. Couldn't do it, weenie that I am : )
Why do I think I can do bone marrow?!!! Crazy. But I could.
When we inquired about getting on the marrow donor list, we were told that WE would have to drive to a city one hour away and pay the sixty dollars (each) cost of the procedure. If it was free, we would do it - but I don't think it's wise to require potential donors to go that far simply to be put into the database.
If I were you, try volunteering to work a blood drive. I think you might be a little overwhelmed by the people laying on tables with the tubing coming out of their arms.
Once you are over that uneasiness, then think about donating.
Remember, most of us at blood drives do this regularly and are not afraid or in pain. So it is just routine ;)
Yeah, you hit nonesense too inquiring about this?
Me too. Glad to have the company.
Many prayers, in fact. ;^)
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Have been registered for quite some time.
“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.
BTTT
It's not nonsense. You're really falling all over yourself trying to knock this critical program. I can't for the life of me figure out why.
It's not about being wise; it's a matter of resources. My sister entered last year. She could have driven about an hour to the processing center, but instead they mailed her a kit, her doctor's office agreed to take the blood for no charge, and they sent it back. There was a registration fee (about $40, I think), but we paid that for her as a birthday gift.
The screening/categorizing test is very expensive. I paid about $60 years ago (back when money was really tight), but I don't regret it at all. And quite often there will be marrow drives where sponsors will pay some or all of the registration fee. About three years ago at work there was a drive sponsored by the DoD. Five of my co-workers signed up for no cost.
Nothing about the Red Cross on the web site. I give blood all the time and the bone marrow issue never comes up. Logic says that these two organizations should hook up, but lately the Red Cross is doing all they can to turn donors away due to travel restrictions, while the NMDP will take anyone.
No, that answer was in response to a Bloodmobile question. Concerning the two orgs hooking up, I'm not sure why that hasn't occurred. (Or maybe it has, and I just don't know it.)
Excuse me?!!! Where did I knock anything? And why on earth are you rephrasing my words to imply I was calling the program nonesense when I was referring to the chaos of trying to participate?
There ya go!
Works for me! LOL!
My son is a 2001 graduate of USNA - years ago he joined the National program - over Christmas we learned he was a match - last week he traveled from Monterey CA to Georgetown University Hosp to donate his marrow - we met him there & stayed a few days. Truly remarkable experience.
Very nice story, thanks for sharing. I hope someone reading is inspired by you and your son.
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