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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask you to please sign up to be bone marrow donors?

99 replies

PleaseHelpMNers · 08/01/2016 13:19

Link here: www.anthonynolan.org/apply-join-bone-marrow-register

A friend of a friend was diagnosed with leukaemia a week before Christmas. She's only 24 years old Sad She needs a bone marrow transplant but this is proving difficult as mixed race donors are hard to find. Her only brother is not a match

www.match4lara.com

Please, please sign up. They will only contact you if you are a match

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 09/01/2016 17:54

I'm too old, I tried a while ago when a colleague's wife needed a bone marrow transplant.

I give blood 3 x a year, and am going to sign up for platelet donation later in the year when my youngest starts school and I have more child-free time to do it. I am also registered with the Parkinson's Brain Bank and carry a donor card. I am not sentimental about my body once I'm gone.

SchnooSchnoo · 09/01/2016 18:26

My daughter had a bone marrow transplant in September, just before her first birthday. We were very lucky to quickly find a good match and she is doing well. Lots aren't so lucky. Most donations are via peripheral blood now, so not a major procedure, but you need to have GCSF injections for a few days before hand.

Please join if you can, I'm looking at my beautiful little girl right now, who has been given a chance at life because someone was willing to donate.

wtfisgoingonhere · 09/01/2016 19:45

Thank you for clarifying uptown Smile

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 09/01/2016 23:21

Bump.

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 09/01/2016 23:22

And many good wishes to schnoo's DD - what a lovely outcomeSmile

hollinhurst84 · 09/01/2016 23:23

I signed up then got diagnosed as neutropenic Grin
Slightly ironic my meds are the ones they give stem cell doners!
The injections are easy enough to do yourself, side effects of headache and some bone pain but manageable

CatThiefKeith · 09/01/2016 23:25

I'm already on the register but am white Caucasian.

SchnooSchnoo · 10/01/2016 00:07

Thank you Working Smile

grumpysquash2 · 10/01/2016 00:25

Why does Antony Nolan have such a low age cut off?
I would happily go on the register and donate.
I am 46, no health issues, 3DC, active lifestyle, rarely get colds or bugs and would not hesitate to help someone that I matched to.

I think that AN trust is unfortunately doing itself a disservice.

JeffyJeffington · 10/01/2016 00:48

I asked to go on the register when donating blood some yeara ago, due to my experiences with a close relative who had leukaemia (thankfully never needed a stem cell donation and now in remission but through her experience came into contact with others who did) . The woman taking my blood said 'oh I'm sorry, we don't have any forms left. loads of other people have asked this week and I've had to turn them away.' disappointed, i asked if there was anyone i could contact for a form, otherwise I'd have to wait for my next blood appointment which would be at least 4 months. She said there really wasn't another way to do it Hmm but after a bit more pressing- i was really determined- she went and looked in the office and managed to find one. I've now got the card saying I'm on the register but am also interested in whether this links me to Anthony Nolan, as I'm too old to join that one. I really feel it's the right thing for me to be on it, because of my experiences and ethnic background. I'm just really disappointed with the lack of information out there and how difficult it was to get on the register. Turning people away! Sad Anyone who shows an interest, they should be biting their hands off! So to speak!

Eastpoint · 10/01/2016 21:03

Another bump

Eastpoint · 11/01/2016 12:33

Bumping again

diymania · 11/01/2016 12:56

I just registered for delete blood cancer today after reading about this appeal. I'm causcasian and East Asian descent - I had no idea about the statistics of how low matches in registries are for mixed race people. They say it's only a 4-5% chance of being a match for anyone, but I'd gladly do it if it meant giving someone a chance. It's not entirely altruistic either really, because if you are of mixed race and you or your family should end up needing stem cells or bone marrow transplants then the more people the better than sign up is good for your own chances.

blackheartsgirl · 11/01/2016 14:39

I wish I could do this. Unfortunately I have had a blood transfusion so that rules me out for anything :(

I have given blood in the past before though a few times, just wish I could do it again

Chippednailvarnish · 11/01/2016 20:26

Bump

Eastpoint · 12/01/2016 22:16

I read today that Anthony Nolan have had an extra 3700 potential donors sign up. Lara has come out of hospital. Thank you to all of those who have signed up, I heard from a friend today that her husband had a bone marrow transplant in November & he is out of hospital, he is being monitored for rejection.

Chippednailvarnish · 12/01/2016 22:41

The story has just been on the London local news, bumping again!

Oldraver · 12/01/2016 22:52

wtfisgoingonhere...

This is from the AN website

To join our register, you have to be between 16 and 30 and in good health. You’ll stay on our register until you’re 60. - See more at: www.anthonynolan.org/frequently-asked-questions#joiningourregister

I have noticed that I no longer get all the bumpf from them (newsletter raffle tickets)

Eastpoint · 25/01/2016 21:49

The drives for potential donors are continuing, there is one on Friday at West Thames College at lunchtime and I think there is another coming up at a mosque in Hounslow. 600 people in Cambridge recently signed up, plus 300 in Oxford. The sooner a bone marrow transplant can happen the better the chance of it working, please encourage people to sign up if you can't yourself.

MaisyMooMoo · 25/01/2016 21:52

I tried to sign up but apparently I'm too old.

BlueRaptor · 25/01/2016 22:02

I'm on the register as is the majority of my family and a few friends.

(Time for shameless proud sister moment)

My 20 year old little brother got a letter from Anthony Nolan stating they had potentially found a match and could he give some blood to determine whether or not it was a match. Done all this and he is, and is going to donate in about 5 weeks. He was meant to be doing it this week but his pre bloods shows he had glandular fever! He wasn't feeling poorly at all but it's there and therefore not suitable at the moment as the recipient won't have the immune system to fight it so it's been pushed back for a little. Very proud of him at such a young age to be doing it, a nurse is going to his house for four days prior to give him injections and he has to stay in overnight after donating so it's not a quick easy process, but is 100% worth it.

Eastpoint · 26/01/2016 10:04

BlueRaptor

That's brilliant news, well done to your brother, thank you.

MaisyMooMoo

Me too, but at least we can spread the word & encourage, thank you for trying & bumping this.

Chippednailvarnish · 27/01/2016 20:47

Bumpty bump bump bump!

Andrewofgg · 27/01/2016 21:01

I'm too old and a cancer survivor to boot so all I can do is wish you all the best and congratulate all who sign up.

Chippednailvarnish · 28/01/2016 18:38

Bumpty bump, bumpty bump, bump bump , bumpty bump bumpty bump!

trying to channel the blankety blank theme tune