Spring Break
UConn, American Red Cross host blood, bone marrow drive
Megan Kruger
Issue date: 2/17/09 Section: News
UConn once again teamed up with the American Red Cross and hosted a blood drive Feb. 9 - 13 in Wilbur Cross. This time, staff and students could not only donate blood, but they could also register to be bone marrow donors.
The blood drive consisted of 18 beds and saw a good turnout of both students and faculty.
"Our goal isn't really any particular number of donors," said Meaghan Cooperman, a representative for the American Red Cross. "We are really just looking for productive units of blood."
First time donors are encouraged to attend blood drives and will be made as comfortable as possible.
"It's normal to be nervous the first time," Cooperman said. "But keep in mind that you are helping three people. You may save their lives."
Donors who were interested in becoming part of a bone marrow registry had the opportunity to do so by simply filling out a one-page application and providing a cheek swab sample. This information is then put into an international registry and donors will be contacted if they are a match to a patient in need.
"Every day there are 6,000 kids waiting for a bone marrow procedure," said Ramey Swanson, a representative of Save Giovanni's Friends, a non-profit organization that is a subdivision of DKMS America, a bone marrow registry.
Those who register have a 5 percent chance in the next 10 years of being a match based on the cheek swab alone. DKMS contacts all potential matches, and those interested in pursuing the match are then asked to see a doctor for a confirmatory blood test. Only 1 out of 12 people who are a match based on the initial cheek swab are an actual bone marrow match based on the blood test. "Your chances of being a bone marrow match to a patient are really quite small," said Swanson.
Donating bone marrow is now a virtually painless, outpatient procedure. Donors who are also eligible to give blood have blood taken from one arm, where it is placed in a spinner so that stem cells can be extracted. "Patients don't actually donate marrow anymore," Swanson explains. "New technology allows us to create bone marrow from stem cells." After the stem cells are extracted, the blood is then returned to the patient through the other arm.
Potential donors are listed on the registry until their 61st birthday, but can be removed sooner if they choose. Prime candidates for donating are men ages 18-24, as they have the greatest number of stem cells. Those interested in becoming part of the registry can request a donor kit online at www.dkmsmaerica.org.
"This seemed like a really good cause," said Noah Mandel, a 6th-semester sociology major, who is a regular blood donor and recently registered to be a potential bone marrow donor. "I would absolutely donate bone marrow if I was a match," he said.
Those who wish to donate blood but could not make the blood drive last week can attend the make-up session this Friday, Feb. 20 in the Wilbur Cross North reading room.
The blood drive consisted of 18 beds and saw a good turnout of both students and faculty.
"Our goal isn't really any particular number of donors," said Meaghan Cooperman, a representative for the American Red Cross. "We are really just looking for productive units of blood."
First time donors are encouraged to attend blood drives and will be made as comfortable as possible.
"It's normal to be nervous the first time," Cooperman said. "But keep in mind that you are helping three people. You may save their lives."
Donors who were interested in becoming part of a bone marrow registry had the opportunity to do so by simply filling out a one-page application and providing a cheek swab sample. This information is then put into an international registry and donors will be contacted if they are a match to a patient in need.
"Every day there are 6,000 kids waiting for a bone marrow procedure," said Ramey Swanson, a representative of Save Giovanni's Friends, a non-profit organization that is a subdivision of DKMS America, a bone marrow registry.
Those who register have a 5 percent chance in the next 10 years of being a match based on the cheek swab alone. DKMS contacts all potential matches, and those interested in pursuing the match are then asked to see a doctor for a confirmatory blood test. Only 1 out of 12 people who are a match based on the initial cheek swab are an actual bone marrow match based on the blood test. "Your chances of being a bone marrow match to a patient are really quite small," said Swanson.
Donating bone marrow is now a virtually painless, outpatient procedure. Donors who are also eligible to give blood have blood taken from one arm, where it is placed in a spinner so that stem cells can be extracted. "Patients don't actually donate marrow anymore," Swanson explains. "New technology allows us to create bone marrow from stem cells." After the stem cells are extracted, the blood is then returned to the patient through the other arm.
Potential donors are listed on the registry until their 61st birthday, but can be removed sooner if they choose. Prime candidates for donating are men ages 18-24, as they have the greatest number of stem cells. Those interested in becoming part of the registry can request a donor kit online at www.dkmsmaerica.org.
"This seemed like a really good cause," said Noah Mandel, a 6th-semester sociology major, who is a regular blood donor and recently registered to be a potential bone marrow donor. "I would absolutely donate bone marrow if I was a match," he said.
Those who wish to donate blood but could not make the blood drive last week can attend the make-up session this Friday, Feb. 20 in the Wilbur Cross North reading room.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Tony Cavalalro
posted 2/18/09 @ 10:40 AM EST
The Make-Up Drive will be held Friday, February 20th in the Student Union Ballroom, NOT Wilbur Cross.
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