I'm excited to be participating in the 1st Annual Macaroni Do Something Great Day on Sept 20th, 2014. For my event, I chose to host a Be The Match Bone Marrow Registry Drive. I joined the Registry a few years ago at a local drive and want to give others in our area the opportunity.
Macaroni Kid-Fayetteville is hosting a free "Be the Match" bone marrow registry drive on Sat, Sept 20 from 9:30-noon at the Fayeteville Public Library in the Walker Community Room.
Every year, more than 12,000 people with cancer or other blood diseases depend on the National Bone Marrow Registry. Patients only have a 30% chance of matching someone within their family and the other 70% are from people who join the Registry. There is a great need for people ages 18-44 to be added to the Registry. Individuals between the ages of 18-44 may join the National Bone Marrow registry for FREE, and it is as simple as filling out paperwork & doing a cheek swab. By joining the Registry, you could save the life of a cancer patient! People ages 45-61 can still join the Registry, but must pay a $100 tax-deductible donation & join online. I will have computers set up at the event for this purpose also.
If you are later called as a match for a patient, the process of donating bone marrow has changed and is much less intrusive than what it used to be. It is usually done with a process simliar to donating blood. For myths & facts about Bone Marrow donation, click HERE.
We will have face painting, a kids craft & more to entertain your kids while you sign up. Refreshments will be available. Please help us spread the word and come out to help us with this simple process that could mean saving the life of a cancer patient waiting for a match.
Donations will be accepted at the event to help offset the cost for Be The Match providing this service for free. 100% of donations will go to Be The Match. Secure online donations can be made using our Team Page here.
I am in need of several more volunteers for this event. If you would like to help, please email me at Karaa@macaronikid.com. You do not need to have any experience. I am also seeking food donations for refreshments to be served to those who attend. If you have a connection to a local store or food company who might donate, please let me know. I would appreciate the help.
I hope you will bring the family and attend this fun event and help Make a Difference!
~Kara
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