A Freebie That Can Save A Life!

I'll never forget the last time I saw her. She was leaving an Atlanta restaurant as I was going in. My cousin was in her early 20s then. A little pony tail flounced around whimsically on top of her head. She was dressed in a cute little skirt and leather jacket. I've never lived in Atlanta, so this was purely a chance meeting... and our last.

I missed an opportunity years ago that may have saved my precious cousin's life. I'm trying to save someone else's now, and you can, too, by registering to become a bone marrow donor.

From now until June 22, a non-profit foundation called Be The Match is conducting a Marrowthon to increase the number of available donors on the national registry. During this time (or until their funds run out), they will cover the cost of having your tissue typed and placed on the registry.

It's really simple. Just go to the Be The Match Web site and complete a short questionnaire. If you meet the basic registry guidelines, a pop-up window will guide you through an online form and the order form for the registration kit. When the kit arrives, you'll follow instructions to collect a swab of cells from inside your cheek and return the kit. Soon, you'll be added to the official registry.

According to the foundation's Web site, seventy percent of people don't have a suitable donor in their family and depend on the National Marrow Donor Program to find a match to save their lives. I was never tested for my cousin. In spite of the odds, however, I often wonder whether or not I would have been a perfect match.

To learn more about the process and what it means to be a bone marrow donor, click on this Be The Match link.

You can also click here for FAQs about becoming a donor.