Please help find a matching bone marrow donor

In an effort to help an employee find a matching bone marrow donor, Trinity Services will host a Be The Match Registry Drive along with its Blood Drive on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at the nonprofit organization’s main office, 301 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox.

Maricela Anaya was diagnosed in early 2014 with aplastic anemia, a rare blood condition in which the body stops producing enough new red and white blood cells. She has already had five blood transfusions and needs a bone marrow transplant. However, she has not been able to find a matching donor.

“My family was tested, but no one matched,” said Maricela, who has worked at Trinity’s Des Plaines office for seven years. “I’m half Mexican, half Filipino, it’s rare to find a match,” the 36-year-old added.

Although Maricela hesitated, her supervisor Jen Hodges encouraged her to reach out in hopes of finding a match. “I’ve spent time talking with Maricela about her condition and how difficult it is for her to find a donor. She is very grateful that Trinity wants to try and help. I hope we can rally together and help her find a donor!”

Maricela and thousands of patients with a blood cancer like leukemia or other diseases such as aplastic anemia and sickle cell anemia need a marrow transplant to survive. However, 70 percent of those in need don’t have a matching donor in their family. Especially needed are donors ages 18 to 44 who have diverse ancestry.

That’s where YOU can help.

To join the Be The Match Registry:
|
You must meet the health guidelines and be willing to donate to any patient in need.

When you come to the Donor Registry Drive, a representative will explain what it means to join the registry, help you understand your commitment, answer your questions and help you through the process.

All you need to do is:
• Complete a registration form with contact information, health information and a signed agreement to join the Be The Match Registry. To help you complete the form, bring along:
o Personal identification (such as a driver’s license or passport)
o Contact information for two family members or friends who would know how to reach you in the future if your contact information changes
• Give either a swab of cheek cells or a blood sample to be tissue-typed. We will use the results to match you to patients.

That’s it! You’ll be listed on our registry until your 61, unless you inform Be The Match that you’ve become unwilling or unable to donate.

Be The Match Registry, a non-profit community of donors, volunteers, researchers and health care professionals that delivers cures. For more information, visit www.bethematch.org