Bone Marrow Registry August 17 – Cancer Care

Eastern Maine Medial Center's Cancer Care of Maine in Brewer will be the site of a bone marrow registry on Saturday August 17th from 8 AM to 3 PM.

Maggie Rudnicki is doing so well because of the bone marrow transplant she received from her 7 year old brother Lucas.

Want to know what's involved in the Bone Marrow Registry? We asked Brenda Clements, the manager of Nursing Services.  She told us that it's painless, and that it involves a simple cheek swab. There's no blood donation required!

The need is so urgent.  Every 4 minutes someone is diagnosed with some form of blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, blood cancer results in the death of a patient. The goal is to replace unhealthy bone marrow with healthy, blood-forming cells and New England has the highest match rate in the United States!

During last year's bone marrow registry drive 209 people were placed on the registry,  which is 10 times the national average.One of the registrants was called to be a donor.

The criteria to be on the bone marrow registry is

• You must be between18-55 years old
• You must weigh more than 110 pounds and have a  BMI less than 40
• You must be in Good Health
• You must have No history of cancer or bleeding disorders.

Can you be a superhero to someone? I hope you'll take a few minutes next Saturday, August 17th and register to be on the bone marrow registry!