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Are You Enrolled In The NMDP
Registry?
You've been tested as a possible bone marrow donor for a loved
one. Have your test results been forwarded to the National Marrow Donor Program
so you can be listed as a potential donor for another person needing a bone
marrow transplant? Probably not. Surprised? Don't be. I often receive calls
from persons who assume they're enrolled in the National Marrow Donor Program
(NMDP) when, in fact, they are not.
Relatives who are tested as possible donors for a loved one are
not automatically enrolled in the NMDP unrelated donor program. Donors must
first sign a program consent form giving their permission to forward bone
marrow test results to the NMDP.
Unfortunately, many potential bone marrow donors are not informed
about the NMDP registry of volunteer donors at the time they go through testing
for a family member. Many have never heard of the NMDP or are confused about
who to call to enroll in the registry.
The NMDP maintains a computerized registry of individuals who are
willing to be a volunteer marrow donor for a patient needing a BMT. Since 70
percent of patients do not have a compatible sibling or family donor, this
registry provides the only real hope of survival for many patients with
life-threatening diseases.
If you are about to be tested as a marrow donor for a relative and
would like those test results used to enroll you in the NMDP registry of
unrelated bone marrow donors, call 1-800-MARROW-2. Representatives will give
you the name of your local recruitment office where you can secure the
necessary documents.
If you have already been tested as a possible donor for a
relative, it's not too late to forward those test results to the NMDP. Call
1-800-MARROW-2 and a representative will advise you on the steps to take.
Ms. Niemann, a Program Specialist with the Unrelated Bone Marrow
Donor Program, American Red Cross, North Central Blood Service, recruits and
educates persons interested in becoming volunteer marrow donors. |
