:wave: Hi, I have a friend who has CML and is on the National Donor List, but it has been over a year and there have been no matches yet. We have worked on fundraising and were trying to set up a donor drive but with the registry it seems like for every step forward you take at least 5 back. Has anyone experienced this? What has anyone else done to help get a donor drive established? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

We would like to arrange it that if a person wants to go on the National registry, they can, but if they only want to test for this individual that they too may be tested. I can understand both sides of the matter. And though testing is not awfully expensive, it is expensive enough but the procedure itself is very costly to both the donor and recipient, that seems to definately add some hesitation.

Anyway, I will quit rambling. Again any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

I live in Australia and things are different here with regard to bone marrow donations.....

Here if you donate blood, you are asked if you would be interested in being a Bone Marrow Donor.....they then take extra blood to get all your counts....to be a perfect match with someone, it needs 6 markers to be the same.....

Maybe you could organise your local blood bank to set up in your local community centre, you could maybe do a letter box drop in the area, local school newsletters.....

This will not only get much needed blood donated, but also help in your friend finding a match.....

Good luck
Ned:)

Hi tlsb,

Just a suggestion, someone I know wrote a story to the local newspaper and they will gladly print and maybe even do a story about what you're trying to do. Also, call your local tv or radio station and ask if they would advertise it for free. A lot of people would gladly help for free.

Let us know how it goes. It'll take a lot of effort and time on your part, but it's worth it.

P.S. I'm on the registry and I was matched with someone. :D

neddie123

Thank you for your information! I do not believe that they ask all blood donors about possibly donating bone marrow here but that is a great idea. Currently I am going to speak with a local lab and see if we can set something up directly through them.

Thanks again for the info and take care!
tlsb2000

Fabat40

Thank you for your response and input. While I am trying to set something up through a local lab, as soon as I get that taken care of or actually get something organized through the National Donor Registry for a drive, I will certainly be using whatever I can to get the word out. As for time, yes it can be alot of time, but a life is worth it. :)

I am glad you got your match and I do hope you are well on your way to full recovery or fully recovered by now, not sure how long ago you found your match or when the process was done. Take care!!!

tlsb2000