Thanks to an eagle-eyed reader for letting me know about this!
In April, I wrote about Ed Burns’ support for the bone marrow donor registration. I’d registered to join the donor list and was waiting for my kit in the mail. At the time, it cost $52 to get the kit, but I figured it was a small price to pay for something so important.
I got the kit in the mail a few days later. It was super easy — you just swap the inside of your mouth with some Q-tips and send it back. The whole thing took about five minutes.
And now through June 22, registration is FREE on Marrow.org. That’s right — the kit costs you nothing. You just have to ask for it. So get your butts over to that site and get registered! It’s a simple — and cost-free — thing you can do today to potentially save a life.
wow – I think it was under 10 minutes to fill out the form and they already sent an email saying they shipped the kit! easy and speedy.
swab4mateo – that is the promo code you need to put in at the end for it to be free.
I didn’t put a promo code in for it to be free, and the kit has already been shipped. Sooo easy.
I was declined due to my asthma. But it was very, very quick to fill out.
I’m disappointed to not be able to be considered, though.
I can’t either because my neck and back problems. Oh well at least we tried. :-(
woot! my kit is all ordered
Can I do it if I’m in Canada? I want to help!
Nope I checked for you and it linked me to international donors and Canada wasn’t on the list.
In Canada go to onematch@blood.ca
It’s a registry for stem cell and bone marrow donors that’s run through Canadian Blood Services. you can call their 1-888 number for more info..no cost
I registered a few months ago
Thanks for the info Chickie. I donate blood every 8 weeks and considered signing up to donate marrow. I was swayed by the no-charge. Glad I did.
Yea, I just registered! Am I a bad person for feeling so virtuous?
Question: If one does not have medical insurance does that effect one’s ability to donate?
Nope. It’s all paid for. At least that’s what I got from the educational info.
I really want to do it- I think it’s great that we’re essentially all uniting to keep one universal body healthy- but I heard the needle is enormous and it hurts like crazy to take bone marrow out. I want to do it, but the idea of pain is stopping me!
Very cool! I’m all signed up! There isn’t a promo code necessary for it to be free like Kelli said.
Woo! Signed up and going to try to make my friends do it too.
I signed up and kit is in the mail. Thanks for sharing and it’s FREE!
Here’s the site for the Canadian equivalent:
http://www.bloodservices.ca/CentreApps/Internet/UW_V502_MainEngine.nsf/page/onematch?OpenDocument&CloseMenu
THANK YOU!
My nephew has just been diagnosed with Leukemia this week at age 27. He has just finished his first year of med school. This information came with perfect timing. All of our family and friends are signing up to help him or anyone else in need.
Thank you again
I signed up…and sent it to my friends…That needle is huge and it does hurt badly is what I have been told…not fun…but think of all that good karma!