Bone marrow drive seeks donors

Written by Justin Earnshaw

Wednesday, 18 February 2009 18:28

The student organization, Colleges Against Cancer, and Bonfils Blood Center of Colorado Springs will hold a bone marrow donor drive today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the University of Wyoming Senate Chambers in the Wyoming Union.

Bone marrow will not be donated at the event, which is being held to encourage registration in the National Morrow Donor Program Registry. Only a cheek swab is necessary to register individuals as donors, and donors will be contacted when and if their marrow is needed.

“This drive will give you the opportunity to join the registry for a patient who is searching for an unrelated donor,” Gwen Van Baalen, a UW student who is helping organize the event, said.

The event is being held in honor of former UW student, Justin Van Baalen, brother of Gwen.

“Joining the registry provides potential donors with a good opportunity to save a life,” Gwen Van Baalen said.

According to the Bonfils Blood Center Web site, thousands of people are diagnosed with diseases like leukemia and lymphoma for which a stem cell or marrow transplant could be the only cure.

According to the site, 70 percent of these people are unable to find a donor match within their family and must search for an unrelated donor on the National Marrow Donor Registry.

“They have a greater chance of finding a match in a donor from the same ethnic background. As a marrow donor, you could be the one to provide a unique match and hope for patients in need and their families,” according to the Web site.

Potential donors must be between the ages of 18 and 60 and in general good health. A consent form and health questionnaire will need to be completed at the time of registration, followed by a cheek swab to collect cells for initial tissue typing.

The cost is $30 for the cheek swab procedure. These costs will be covered for the first 300 students and the first 150 faculty and staff members who participate due to the support of several community physicians, the UW Foundation Board and several campus entities, including the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming, Academic Affairs, the colleges of Arts & Sciences, Education, Engineering and Applied Sciences and Health Sciences.

Members of the Laramie community are also welcome to participate.

University President Tom Buchanan, who had his own cheek swabbed by Dr. Joanne E. Steane, Student Health Service director, has authorized the release time necessary for staff to travel to the union and participate in the bone marrow drive. Supervisors are encouraged to support the participation of their professional and student
staff.

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