Making the Commitment to Become a Donor
Why is becoming a donor so important?
Each year, more than 140,000 people are diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers. In the U.S., leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under age 20. A marrow transplant may be their only hope for a second chance at life. Only 3 in 10 patients will receive the transplant that could save lives.
Are you willing to commit?
Registering as a bone marrow donor is a commitment to help save a life. By registering, you will:
- Be listed on the National Registry until your 61st birthday, unless you ask to be removed.
- Consider donating to any searching patient who matches your tissue type.
- Agree to keep DKMS updated if your contact information changes.
How do I register as a potential bone marrow or blood stem cell donor?
- You must be between the ages of 18 and 55 and meet the eligibility requirements.
- You need to complete a registration form.
- A healthcare professional will take a collection of your cheek cells using a cotton swab. The cells are sent to a lab to be tested to determine your tissue type.
- Your data is entered into the National Marrow Donor Program’s “Be the Match RegistrySM.” Doctors search the Registry looking for donors for their patients.
Your information is confidential.
If I become a donor, how are blood stem cells collected?
Once you have been identified as a match for a patient, there are two ways to donate, both of which are outpatient procedures,
Are there other ways I can help?
If you are ineligible or do not wish to register as a potential marrow donor, you can help in other ways.
- Make a monetary contribution. Donate securely online, via e-check, credit card, or stock donation at www.dkmsamericas.org, or with a check made payable to DKMS Americas and mailed to DKMS Americas, 33 East 33rd Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10016. Phone number: 1-866-340-DKMS (3567).
- Organize a donor drive in your community, at your office, or school.
Encourage family members and friends to register with DKMS.
What is DKMS?
Originally founded in Germany in 1991, DKMS (Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei, German for Bone Marrow Donor Center) is the world’s largest marrow donor center with nearly two million registered donors. The goal of DKMS is to make more bone marrow donors available to patients around the world with leukemia and other blood. DKMS has facilitated over 17,000 transplants.
For more information, visit www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org or www.dkmsamericas.org.
Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. This publication can be made available in an alternate format upon request. If you require a disability-related accommodation, please call (631) 444-4000.
Registry Drive Dates |
Thursday, November 5
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Stony Brook University
Medical Center
Health Sciences Center,
Galleria, Level 3
Saturday, November 7
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Stony Brook University
Cancer Center
Edmund D. Pellegrino Road
Tuesday, November 10
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Stony Brook University
Student Activities Center
Volunteer Find out about different volunteer opportunities for each of the dates.
All health and health-related information contained in this article is intended to be general and/or educational in nature and should not be used as a substitute for a visit with a healthcare professional for help, diagnosis, guidance, and treatment. The information is intended to offer only general information for individuals to discuss with their healthcare provider. It is not intended to constitute a medical diagnosis or treatment or endorsement of any particular test, treatment, procedure, service, etc. Reliance on information provided is at the user's risk. Your healthcare provider should be consulted regarding matters concerning the medical condition, treatment, and needs of you and your family.
Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer.
