May 30:
Earthquakes Partner with Be the Match to Host Marrow Donor Registration Drive at May 30 Game Against Real Salt Lake
SAN
JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that they have
partnered with the Be the Match registry to host a marrow donor
registration drive prior to their match on May 30 against Real Salt
Lake. The Earthquakes are hosting the drive in honor of RSL midfielder
Andy Williams’ wife, Marcia, who has been diagnosed with a rare form of
leukemia and is seeking a bone marrow match. The drive will take place
from 5-8 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium.
Each year,
thousands of patients are diagnosed with life-threatening blood
diseases such as leukemia and aplastic anemia. Each day, at least 6,000
patients are in need of a transplant. To survive, these patients need
blood stem cells to help their bodies make new, healthy marrow. Blood
stem cells are immature cells that can develop into red blood cells,
white blood cells and platelets. Blood stem cells usually live in bone
marrow but are also released, in small numbers, into the blood stream.
All
ethnically diverse people are encouraged to enter the registry. Because
the characteristics that determine whether a patient and donor match
are inherited, the most likely match is with a sibling. However, 70
percent of patients will not find a family match. They must rely on
volunteer marrow and blood stem cell donors. Although it is possible
for a diverse patient to match a donor from any racial or ethnic group,
the most likely match is someone who shares a similar heritage.
The
first step to becoming a committed volunteer donor is to join the Be
The Match Registry. Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 to 60 and
in good health. After completing a brief health questionnaire,
volunteer donors give a small cheek swab sample and sign a consent
form. The cost of adding a donor to the registry is approximately
$100.00. We are asking for a $25.00 or more (tax deductible) donation
to enter the registry. All eligible donors will be accepted regardless
of their ability to make a donation.
To find out more
about unrelated transplantation as a life-saving therapy, becoming a
marrow or blood stem cell donor, donating umbilical cord blood, and
other ways to help, please visit www.bethematch.org, or call Cynthia
Carlson at 510-495-4021.
March 2009:
Februrary 2009:
January 2009:
November 2008:
October 2008:
September 2008:
August 2008:
Coming Soon!
"I want to thank you for everything that you are doing for me and my family. May God Bless you and your families that are involved in giving so much of your time and heart. I am truly blessed to have you all involved in helping us."
Your Friends, The Williams