articles

Macaroni Do Something Great Day "Be the Match" Bone Marrow Drive!

This Saturday, Sept 20th!

By by Kara Ault, Macaroni Kid- Fayetteville Publisher September 18, 2014
I'm excited to be participating in the 1st Annual Macaroni Do Something Great Day this Saturday, 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. The Washington County Sheriff's office will also be providing free Child I.D. kits at this event.
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 and does NOT require surgery. For myths & facts about Bone Marrow donation, click HERE.
We will have face painting, kids activities & 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 are being accepted 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 hope you will bring the family and attend this fun event and help Make a Difference!

~Kara

 .