Anybody out there who has donated bone marrow?

[BackToB4Beatrice]

As I'm sure many people have, I have just registered with Anthony Nolan and am awaiting my saliva sample pack. I have been meaning to do it for a while, and Expat and her courageous daughter have made me find the ten minutes to register.

On the site I have read about the massive need for male donars aged 18-30.

I called my brother, who fits all the requirements, and asked him to do it, and he said no. I tried to talk him around, and he said if a family member was diagnosed he would be tested but was not going to go on the register. I explained that he may not be a match for any loved ones, and if (heaven forbid) was in that situation he would be desperate for total strangers to donate in hope for a match.

Unfortunately his is clouded by commen mis conception of giant needles and lots of pain.

I know it's his body and all, but I feel disappointed in him. Especially when they are in need of people of his gender and age.

Can we help convince him, with a thread of previous experience, and hopefully some others also?

A friend of mine donated via Anthony Nolan. Her employers gave her time off as paid compassionate leave. She gave her bone marrow peripherally. AN paid all expenses to travel to London, think she was there three days.

My brother, who hates needles of any sort, is my bone marrow donor if the day ever comes that I need a BMT. (Leukaemia).

Alice Pyne (via her bucket list) has done a lot of work to raise awareness of donating bone marrow. Apparently males aged between 18-30 have the most healthiest of bone marrow and that's why there's a big need for them.

It's all about awareness.

I work in education and hope that if I am ever called on to donate I will be given time off. It's not exactly a holiday is it? I'm registered with AN. My friend's child has been really ill with cancer and also a local appeal prompted me to register.