Bone Marrow Registry Drive

Ashley Marquis

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

1-23-2014

Campus Unit

College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines

Abstract

The Health and Wellness Unit, the Student Social Work Club and the Nursing Student Association collaborated for the first year to host a Bone Marrow Registry Drive. The drive offers the opportunity for the public to join Be the Match, a national registry for bone marrow transplants, and potentially save a life.

The drive was held on Wednesday, January 22 in the Memorial Union Loading Dock from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Thursday, January 23 at the Wellness Center from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

"I've known people with blood transfusion and I am really excited to be able to do something," said UND graduate student Will Creel.

President of the Phi Alpha Honor Society, George Jirout, helped start the bone marrow registry drive last year with Phi Alpha and the Student Social Work Club and helped facilitate the event this year as well. Jirout says that he has a personal connection with the cause because one of his colleagues lost her daughter to leukemia and he wants to be able to help people like her.

"It's about helping a vulnerable population and our mission is to advocate, support, and work for them so that they can have a fruitful and thriving life," Jirout said.

To become a potential bone marrow donor, a person must meet certain health requirements and provide information about their health and ethnic background along with routine information. To complete the process one must have their cheek swabbed and the swab sent in to join the registry and find a potential match. If one happens to be a perfect match for a bone marrow transplant there are two ways to donate depending on what is best for the patient.

"In my program we learn about the different diseases that can benefit from bone marrow transplants and there is a low chance for someone being a match so more people should donate," UND junior Mallory Custer said.

Last year at the bone marrow registry drive hosted by the Student Social Work Club over 350 people registered to join Be the Match.

It's close to my heart," Coordinator of Staff Development for the Health and Wellness, Amber Flynn. Flynn's mother-in-law suffered from MSD and was a potential recipient for a bone marrow transplant but passed away before a match was found.

According to Be the Match, there are currently 10.5 million volunteers registered to be donors but only 1 out of every 560 will actually go on to be a match and donate. If you were unable to attend the drive and are interested in joining the registry you can do so online at bethematch.org

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