Every year as Thanksgiving (American holiday) rolls around I’m reminded of just how lucky I am. Though I might complain about the occasional sore throat and runny nose brought home from my kiddo (parents with school age kids, you know what I’m talking about), I have excellent health.
I started a whole foods diet earlier this summer… I’m walking more… I shoot hoops with my kiddo four times a week. Because breast cancer runs in my family (my grandmother and my aunt passed away from it), I consider myself very lucky to have such exceptional health.
That’s why several years ago I signed up to become a bone marrow donor through the National Marrow Donor Program.
My reason was simple. While there are over 7 million people in the bone marrow donation registry, there isn’t enough ethnic diversity to save more lives.
By ethnic diversity I mean Blacks, Hispanics, Indians and Asians. The fact of the matter is that 70 percent of those with terminal diseases aren’t compatible with family members, so they must turn to the National Marrow Donor Program for a match.
My aunt passed away when she was 36. Unfortunately none of us were able to donate bone marrow and we didn’t find a suitable match in time.
The best possible match, besides a family member, is usually someone within the same ethnic group. So Hispanic patients most likely need a Hispanic donor. Asian patients most likely need an Asian donor, and so on.
The beginning of my story…
A few weeks ago I was contacted by the National Marrow Donor Program informing me that I was a possible match for someone. Because of confidentiality issues, I don’t know who the person is or where they are.
Honestly, it doesn’t really matter. To help save the life of another human being would be my greatest accomplishment behind bringing my daughter into this world. I am almost brought to tears that I would be so lucky to possibly be put in this position.
There are tests that have to be done, so I don’t know if I am that person yet. But even if I’m not, I have a favor I’d like to ask of you.
The beginning of your story…
If you have it in your heart, do sign up to become a bone marrow donor. All it requires is a swab of your cheek to get started, and you’ll remain in the registry until you’re 60 years old.
If you ever have to donate it’s on an outpatient basis. And the donation you’ll be giving could possibly save a child… a mother… a father… a grandmother… a friend… an internet marketer — just like you.
Should you decide to become a donor, send me an email and I’ll schedule you for a free 30 minute ebook coaching session. Bring me your most pressing problems, your questions, your “what if” situations and I’ll work with you to give you some clarity.
Thank you for reading my blog. Thank you for being my customers. And thank you for giving of yourself in one of the best ways you can.
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I think it’s great that your a donor, many people don’t know how important it is to have donors. Many are alive today b/c of them.
I personally believe that everyone should be a donor by default. Think about it, if people didn’t have to sign-up for it only the ones who are truly against it would have to opt out of it. By incorporating the donor process further into our society the more donors we will get.
Great Discussion Dahlia!
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Great resource. You really have a good heart to be able to be a donor. God bless you more.
Hi Dahlia,
Before anything else! Two thumbs up! I salute you for your decision to help. I know God will bless you more. Remember ” What you plant, you will harvest”. I would like to donate but is it painful? I have a heart problem and I can’t endure too much pain.
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Dahlia,
I applaud your choice in becoming a donor. It says something about a person who is willing to give something so personal to help someone that they will never even meet. You must be a genuinely nice person at heart. Your post reminded me of a dear friend who lost his 3 year old son to a cancer that could possibly have been treated with a marrow transplant. I honestly don’t recall if he had received that transplant and it didn’t work or if they could not find a match. I guess either way is immaterial. Think of what a precious gift your marrow is to whatever family gets it.
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When I was still in college I signed up for an organ donor and I even got my card. Anything happened to me, it’s within my free will to donate any organ of my body which function well to any body who is in need. This is a good charity towards other. It is good that you are a free willed woman who donate her bone marrow to anybody who need it. There is less people today who do that.
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Hi Dahlia,
First, i hope you enjoy the Thanksgiving Dinner with your family and your friends…
“To help save the life of another human being would be my greatest accomplishment behind bringing my daughter into this world. I am almost brought to tears that I would be so lucky to possibly be put in this position.” Wow, wonderful words.
This Post has touched me.
Thanks for Sharing and i wish you all the Best.
With loving Greetings from Germany.
Hi Dahlia,
I signed up in Australia a couple of years ago when I read about the low numbers of Indian (my ethnic background) donors.
It is a little harder here – you need to do it through the local blood bank donation centre but definitely worth it.
I’ve seen a few pushes recently online for people to join the Marrow Donation register – let’s hope lots of people do!
Cheers,
Priya
I didn’t know that the best possible match should be from the same ethnic background. This is something new I got to know. So people from all the ethnic groups should become donors. Keep up the good work.
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Yes… The best possible matches usually come from those sharing the same ethnic backgrounds. Most people don’t know this, which is why it’s important to donate if you can. You never know when you could be saving a friend or a loved one.
Thank you for commenting!
Dahlia
Twitter: thatIMthing
I certainly agree with the fact that people should make this kind of donations for the sake of humanity. And it is known that this kind of donations do not have any effect at all on your health etc.
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This is true Mert… Donation has no effect on your health. In most situations the procedure is similar to donating blood.
Thanks for commenting!
Dahlia
Twitter: thatIMthing