Cancer ‘Marrowthon’ slated for March 25
Anyone who has ever wanted more information about how to become a potential bone marrow donor can have those questions answered during Vanderbilt’s annual Marrowthon.
This year’s event, sponsored by the Vanderbilt Cancer Society, will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, March 25, in the Student Life Center Board of Trust room. The Marrowthon campaign also includes a blood drive for anyone interested in donating blood.
Patients with diseases like leukemia, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s disease are often in need of bone marrow transplantation.
“Signing up to be a bone marrow donor is simple and easy,” said Rachel Hart, chair of Vanderbilt’s undergraduate cancer society. “During the event we do a cheek swab and send the material to the national bone marrow registry to be analyzed. Once you’re a member of the registry, you may be called for a potential donation if you ever match someone who needs a bone marrow transplant.”
Those on the National Marrow Donor Program registry may stay on the list until age 61, according to Hart.
This year’s Marrowthon includes incentives for those who sign up, including a drawing for gift cards or certificates from San Antonio Taco Company, Sun Tan City and other local merchants.
For more information, contact Carla Lewis at (423) 752-8468 or marrow@bloodassurance.org.