Be a Match, Save a Life
Published on 16 December 2013
At the start of November this year my sister, Olivia, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).
She has two wee boys (1 and 3 years old) and it has completely turned our world upside down. Due to the hypodiploid nature of her leukaemia she will need a stem cell transparent (more commonly known as a bone marrow transparent). There is international collaboration between the national donor registers but they are always looking for more people to sign up.
At minimum it only takes a saliva sample but at most it could save the life of someone with blood cancer. For around 90% of donors the procedure is more like an extended blood donation.
The video below from the UK Anthony Nolan blood cancer charity explains the process well. If you are from outside the UK you can find information about your national register at Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide.
Please consider doing something amazing for people like Olivia, be a donor and potentially save a life!
Last updated: 16 December 2013
Links & further reading
- Anthony Nolan
The UK's blood cancer charity and bone marrow register.
- Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide
Find your national bone marrow register website.
