Health Moment: Help Save a Life Donate your Bone Marrow

English: Human bone marrow.
English: Human bone marrow. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. I am blessed and thankful that my daughter who is living with SCD continues to do well and thrive. She is such a joy to see everyday as she learns new lessons and encounters different challenges. Today, I learned that Robin Roberts the encouraging anchor woman for Good Morning America. Also known for being a beautiful, triumphant, survivor of breast cancer, recently announced her diagnosis with MDS, which is myelodysplastic syndrome.

English: Robin Roberts in J. Crew Collection a...
English: Robin Roberts in J. Crew Collection at The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection 2010 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Robin is taking a leave of absence while she receives and recovers from having a bone marrow transplant. When I heard the news, I was very thankful to hear that Robin sister agreed to become a bone marrow donor for her sister. It is very important for people who receive bone marrow transplants to receive a perfect match from a bone marrow donor. Usually, the best match is found among siblings, but every one in need of a bone marrow transplant does not have a next of kin that can donate, so it is important for people who are willing to donate their bone marrow to someone else to help save a life, visit BetheMatch.org or another agency where they can find out more information about how they too can become donors.

At the heart of this post, is to encourage people to become bone marrow donors. Both SCD and MDS are blood disorders that put people at risk for having fewer healthy blood cells, infections, anemia and bleeding can occur (source). Similarly, bone marrow transplants can be a possible cure for both diseases.

This video below shares information about MDS and Robin’s sister who recently finished the collection process where she donated her bone marrow for the future transplant procedure that will take place with her sister.

If you are in the DC, Maryland, Virginia (DMV) area on September 15, 2011, I invite you to join the Lauren Beck Foundation for the 2012 Stomp Out Sickle Cell Walk in Washington DC. This is the National Sickle Cell walk for the DMV area.

“We are asking our supporters to join us as we make a big impact on this amazing walk with TEAM LAUREN!!  We are creating one of the biggest groups participating in the walk and we need your help. Come out to show your support for Sickle Cell and the Lauren D. Beck Sickle Cell Foundation by walking (or jogging) from Freedom Plaza.”As always there will be a blood drive, screenings, give-a-ways and entertainment and more.
  • Saturday, September 15th 9 am-12 noon
  • Online registration is for ages 18 or older.
  • Registration deadline- September 4, 2012 (the deadline has passed, but if you are still interested please call the number below and see how you can participate.)
  • Registration Fee $25.00
  • Call 202-865-8366 or 866-322-3711

Freedom Plaza
Pennsylvania Ave
btw. 13th & 14th Street NW
Washington, DC

Enhanced by Zemanta
Scroll to Top