Bone Marrow Registration Drive Raises Awareness in Pine Bluff
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: August 18, 2012
Many of us understand the impact of donating blood, but you may not know that registering to donate bone marrow can be just as important.
A group from Be the Match -- one of the largest bone marrow registries -- raised awareness at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on Saturday.
Bone marrow transplants can treat diseases like sickle cell anemia and leukemia. However, pairing patients and donors can be challenging.
Mary Lesueur of Be the Match says, "Marrow does save lives of many of our cancer and sickle cell patients, but the challenge they have is finding a genetic match."
In order to be a match, certain proteins on your cells must closely resemble those of the transplant patient. You may also be a better match for individuals of the same race as yourself.
The drive was able to register and educate several people on Saturday through Be the Match. To learn more about bone marrow transplants and how you can register as a donator, click here.
