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Angela Salvatori, an RN at the ACH Outpatient Care Center in Sarasota, signed up as a Be a Match donor over 10 years ago when her church sponsored a drive for a youth member suffering from leukemia. She was surprised when she got a call a few years ago that she had been identified as a match. She was more than happy to help. "It was such a simple thing to do," she said. "I kept thinking, what if it was my family member that needed help?" Every year, people like Angela are helping to make lifesaving transplants possible. You might Be The Match.
 
Be The Match Registry is the new name for the registry operated by the National Marrow Donor Program for more than 20 years. Every person who joins increases the odds that patients like Mary find the match they need.

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Registration Dates and Times

St. Petersburg Main Campus: 1st floor of the main hospital and OCC Lobby   September 29: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. October 3: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Evenings: contact Julie Strong at x74390 or julia.strong@allkids.org All Children's Outpatient Care, Tampa: September 28: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. October 5: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month, and Sickle Cell Awareness Month---and bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation is an important treatment option for these diseases. All Children's will host many registry sign-up drives throughout the month of September as well as in early October.  During these events the usual $30 registry enrollment fee is being waived, and it is very easy to sign up.

Here's how it works:
 
1) Join the Registry

You'll complete a short health questionnaire; sign a form stating that you understand what it means to be listed in the registry, and have your cheek swabbed for a sample of cells for tissue typing. You will stay in the registry until you turn 61.
 
2) Stay Committed and Available

If you are the best match for a recipient, Be the Match will contact you to ask if you are willing to donate. You will participate in an information session and receive a physical. The chance that you will be selected to donate blood stem cells depends on your tissue type.
 
 3) Donating Peripheral Blood Stem Cells or Bone Marrow

 The patient's doctor chooses one of the following donation methods, depending on the patient's needs:

Peripheral Blood Stem Cell donation-the most common method

This is a non-surgical procedure similar to donating blood. Donors return to their normal routine in 1 or 2 days.

Bone Marrow Donation

In a brief surgical procedure, the donor is given anesthesia and a needle is used to withdraw liquid marrow from the hipbone. The marrow replaces itself within 3 weeks, and donors return to normal activities in 2 to 7 days.

To learn more about Be The Match go to www.marrow.org  or email Marc Silver at msilver2@NMDP.org .