National Marrow Donor Program

[asterroc]

Dear LJ,

No I'm not going to register to donate bone marrow. Yeah I know that every person on the registry represents a chance at a saved life. I even know that as a multiracial person, my bone marrow's much more desirable. But it scares the shit out of me. Yes I read the myths and facts, donation FAQs, when you're contacted as a possible match, and everything else on Be The Match / National Marrow Donor Program - I read it all hoping I'd get over it. But it still scares the shit out of me. You can stop inviting me now.

You can take it when I'm dead, though. I've got a nice little "organ donor" thing on my driver's license, and I've told my family and significant other that I'll donate everything but my brain. So if my bone marrow's still useful when I'm dead, please do take it then.

Hearts and livers,

Zandperl

Comments

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my veins close right up when I get a needle in me, so it takes more than an hour to get enough blood out for it to be useful. I also get really lightheaded b/c the veins in my head also close up and restrict blood flow to my head, so I need a designated walker afterwards. Because of this, it takes me a full half day to donate, and 24 hours to recover. I've only donated like two or three times as a result.