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NetIP-SFBA
Donor Registration Drives

[Pic Courtesy AADP website]

• Upcoming Drives
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• How you can help
• FAQs
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We are volunteers dedicated (but not limited) to raise awareness and facilitate bone marrow registration drives in the Bay Area.

Ours is an initiative within NetIP-SFBA Community Service. We got together in mid-April 2005 to help six-year-old Rajan find a match and continue to help him and others like him.

For latest updates, join the Community Yahoo Group - moderated and spam free.

Got ideas? Want to volunteer, host a donor drive or become a sponsor?

Contact Vivek Kumar
Community Services Director

Questions?

FAQs: (from AADP's website)


• (1). Do I donate marrow at the registration drive?
  No. At the drive you only donate a small blood sample (usually from your fingertips). This is shipped to the labs for tissue typing and is entered in the National Marrow Registry. Once listed on this Registry, your tissue type will be compared to the tissue types of thousands of patients around the world who need transplants.
  
  
• (2). What happens next?
  If you are identified as a potential match for a patient, NMDP donor center representatives will ask for another blood sample to see whether you match well enough to be an actual donor for the patient. If you are indeed a match, you will receive further education about marrow and PBSC donation processes and which is the preferred process for this patient. [Note: PBSC is an alternate to marrow donation. Read More]
  
  
• (3). And then?
  To prepare for either donating procedure, you will attend an information session about the donating process and potential side effects of the procedure. You will have a physical exam to determine your health status and find if there are any special risks to you with either donation procedure. The health requirements are the same for marrow and PBSC donation.
  
  
• (4). What if I change my mind?
  You decide whether to donate. After being fully informed about the donor experience, you make the decision -- with the support of your friends and loved ones -- about whether or not to become a donor. This is a completely voluntary program and you can withdraw at any time.
  
  
• (5). I decide to donate, what next?
  The marrow collection process is a surgical procedure that occurs in a local hospital operating room while you receive regional or general anesthesia. Part of your marrow is removed from the back of your pelvic bone using sterile needles and syringes. NMDP will then ship the marrow to the recipient.
  
  
• (6). Are there side effects?
  You should recover quickly from the procedure. Most donors experience some bone pain and aches for several days or a few weeks.
  
  
• (7). That's not too bad considering I am saving someone's life. Ok, so how soon will my marrow regenerate?
  Usually within four to six weeks. You can donate again if you are chosen after this period.
  
  
• (8). This seems like such a noble cause - I can actually save someone's life! Why are more people not registered?
  The primary reason is lack of awareness about the ease and tremendous benefits of this program.
  
  
• (9). What role does NetIP play?
  NetIP wants to raise awareness of the program and the low number of registered Asian American donors. We want to be the vehicle for change and to help close this huge gap.
  
  
• (10). Do you get paid for all your work?
  No! We are a 100% volunteer group comprised of engineers, doctors, writers, lawyers by day and dedicated community service volunteers by, well, day and night.
  
  
• (11). What is AADP and who do they help?
  AADP is the Asian American Donor Program. They receive federal grants and hold Registration Drives for NMDP in the Asian American community. These grants make it free for minorities (like Asians) to register. There is a small lab fee of about $65 for others. Check out patients they are trying to help.
  
  
• (12). Ok, I am convinced! How can I help?
  Super. First make sure you Register at a Donor Drive. You can help us raise awareness by organizing drives at your work, temples, shopping malls et. al. Or help out in a number of other ways. To learn more Email us and subscribe to the Yahoo groups for regular updates.