Save a life, become a donor

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  On any given day, more than 6,000 men, women and children will die.

What is the cause of death? Leukemia and other life-threatening diseases.

But many patients who look toward finding a cure hold on to the hope of finding a life-saving donor for bone marrow and cord blood transplants.

Team Dover members can help make the difference for patients across the country by becoming a donor at the upcoming bone marrow drive May 16 from 12 to 4 p.m. and May17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the base clinic.

"Each day, thousands of people across America are in need of marrow transplants. Registering as a marrow donor will enable you to give them the most precious gift of all - the gift of life," said Rep. C.W. Bill Young.

Representative Young initiated and supported the development of the National Marrow Donor Program and the Department of Defense program for marrow transplantation. The primary objective of the program is to use life-saving technology toward the military medical application for rescue of casualties with marrow damage.

"Active-duty, guard and reserve servicemembers and their families, and DoD civilians between the ages of 18 to 60 are eligible to become donors," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Meinhold, 9th Airlift Squadron flight engineer and bone marrow registration coordinator. "The annual drive will now be held every month of May during a (unit training assembly) weekend so the reservists will also have a chance to donate.

"This organization is only for military donors, but it works in conjunction with several other marrow registering programs," he said. "There are numerous other organizations in the United States and other countries in the world that share a database, working together to find matches for individuals requiring a transplant."

Background information from the donor is cataloged by DNA, race and ethnicity into the genetic database. Patients who have genetic blood disorders and cancer are more likely to match with donors from their own race or ethnicity.

"Most common matches are within one's family," said Senior Airman David Bass, 9th Airlift squadron, who was an extremely close match and donated marrow to his 2-year-old brother, who suffered from leukemia.

After the surgery procedure, Airman Bass said he woke up very sore and recovered in about two weeks.

Though the procedure was successful, the cancer remained and his brother passed away at age three.

"Any chance to help is definitely worth the risk of a little bit of discomfort, knowing that you can save someone's life," he said. 

For information about becoming a donor or to volunteer, call 677-3606 or (302) 359-1890.