In asking you to spit (especially if you are Jewish)?

[Zipitydooda]

.. And if you're not.

A friend's mum is urgently seeking a bone marrow donor in the next 5 weeks: If you are under 50 and not yet on the bone marrow register, please make it your priority! There are various ways to do so, and you could save a life. If not my friend's mum then someone else.

If you've registered, but you're not absolutely certain that your details are correct, please call the organisation in your area and make sure. More info and easy links below:

If you are 16-30: and not on the Anthony Nolan stem cell register, please consider requesting a spit kit in order to send a sample of saliva in the post - it only takes a few minutes to do. More details can be found from the links here, including eligibility criteria: is.gd/Spit4Mum

If you are under 50: and able to give blood, please consider going to a blood donor centre or a local donor session and asking to have your stem cells screened at the same time, more details here: is.gd/Donate4Mum

If you are already on the register: please make sure your details are up to date, if you can't be found, you can't be a lifesaver, more details here: is.gd/Update4Mum

If you are on Twitter: please use the hashtag #Spit4Mum to spread the word.

Copying and pasting on my phone so I hope this comes out right.

[NothingIsAsBadAsItSeems]

I always feel useless when people post things like this as I'm needle phobic :( I can help to spread the word though :)

[Binkybix]

Thanks. I've often thought on joining this register. Do you know if the donation process is quite arduous? I have always been under the impression that it is.

[MardyBraWouldDoEddieRedmayne]

Why Jewish?

[Lilithmoon]

Bump :)

[weegiemum]

I can't as I receive blood products as a regular treatment so can't donate (blood, marrow or organs). But happy to bump!

[magimedi88]

I'm over 50 so can't - but bumping.

[Somebodysomewhere]

Cant either as im underweight but will bump for you :)

[MamaBear17]

Already on the register. Both polishing my halo with this posting and giving it a bump x

[Binkybix]

Guessing its more likely there will be a match because of higher possibility of sharing (in ancestral sense) DNA from common area of origin. I have DNA stretches for immune function that were fair typical of middle eastern origin (although am not Jewish)

[EuroShagmore]

This was on the Beeb earlier (if it is the same one). Jewish donor is the most likely match.

[Sarahplane]

I'm trying to find the details but the links don't work.

[Zipitydooda]

Thanks everyone, yes a Jewish donor is much more likely to be a match. I think there are more specifics of her ancestry on the links too.

That's not to say only Jewish people should register. We all should it's just the time to find a donor for my friend's mum is very short.

Being on the register doesn't require using needles hence the spit4mum hash tag link. If you were to donate then yes you would encounter a needle probably.

[WelshMaenad]

I can't give blood as a diabetic, will they still be able to use my bone marrow?

[Zipitydooda]

Sorry the links don't work. I don't know how to do links from my phone.

If you google spit4mum you should get taken in the right direction!

[Zipitydooda]

Welsh

Unfortunately you can't donate if you're diabetic unless it's controlled by diet alone. You can help to spread the word though, thanks.

[NothingIsAsBadAsItSeems]

Oh, I always assumed that you only registered if you were able to donate and that if you were ever needed as a donor a fairly large needle was required? If there's no needle then I'll send a sample :)

[fridayfreedom]

I'm already on the list as is DH. We both got asked to donate further samples but didn't get chosen to donate as they had better matches.
The way of donating marrow has changed since we first registered, can't remember the exact details but it is now easier.
My thought is that I would want someone to donate if it was me or my child so I should be prepared to do it myself

[Zipitydooda]

Maybe if you were ever a match they could hypnotise you into not minding needles?
I've been on the register for over 20yrs and not been a match for anyone.

[NothingIsAsBadAsItSeems]

Zip - If they could I'd be there in a heart beat :) I'll have look into hypnotherapy

[Iteotwawki]

From rusty memory, a GA can be required to harvest bone marrow. And it's perfectly possible to have one of those without needles (you breathe in the anaesthetic and they put needles in when you're asleep). Lots of my patients are needlephobic!

[FortyFacedFuckers]

I'm already registered a close family member was lucky to get a match last year.

[Zipitydooda]

Shamelessly bumping .... Never done that before.

[meditrina]

I just saw the "sign and spit" on the news.

Really glad to see a thread about it here. I'm too old, but really hope lots of people see this and consider signing up.

[StuntGirl]

Oh what I shame, I just tried to apply but I'm just over the weight limit :( When I've lost a few more lbs I'll definitely sign up, for now all I can do is pass the info on I guess.

I really hope your friend's mum finds a donor soon

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

I'm pregnant at the minute so I'm guessing I can't do it same as giving blood?
Does anyone know how long after you have to wait?