A3M at Guppy Teahouse
I know I haven't updated, but I've been meaning to. For the mean time, this will have to do.
So I've been volunteering at Asians for Miracle Matches (A3M) for the last month or so. Basically it's a non-profit organization under the National Marrow Donor Program that helps Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs) find bone marrow matches. Less than 7% of the donors in the national registry are APIs, which is a problem because the chances of finding a bone marrow match is increased when the donor is of the same ethnicity as the patient.
It's super easy to get registered. All you have to do is be over 18, in good health, and just give a cheek swab. No blood, no needles.
If you are a match to someone (yay!), collection is still really easy. There are two ways:
1.) Marrow Donation
You're put under anesthesia (super fun) and they collect your bone marrow from your lower back. I do this all the time because it's basically my bone marrow biopsy. You'll be a little sore, but in comparison to the patient, you have it easy. Besides, it's only a bit of pain and you literally save someone's life.
2.) Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Donation
This is basically donating blood, but for a longer period of time. You get some shots beforehand to thicken your blood and then on the day of collection, you sit in front of a machine that takes out your blood in one arm, takes what it needs, and puts the rest back into your other arm. Simple as that.
Anyway, there's going to be a drive today at Guppy Teahouse in Cerritos (they have awesome shaved ice) and you should all come :) I'll be there trying to recruit people with my charismatic smile and my witty charm. HA! Seriously though. Please come
Here's the info:
Guppy Teahouse
11803 South St.
Cerritos, CA 90703
1 PM - 6 PM
It's on the corner of South and Pioneer. So come and donate and then eat :)
If you're still on the fence about donating, think about it this way: If my brother wasn't a match for me, would you be willing to donate your bone marrow to me? And if you still say no, think about the patients who need these transplants. The amount of pain (little pricks at most) does not outweigh the pain patients have to go through. Transplant or no transplant, it fucking sucks. If the patients don't have a transplant, they have a high risk of dying. If they do have a transplant, they have to go through radiation and treatment, which is pretty close to dying in itself, before getting the donated bone marrow. And then there's all the side effects of the radiation and donation afterward which sucks as well, but they have a greater chance of survival.
So I hope whoever reads this will make it out to Cerritos. A3M will register anyone who wishes to donate, not just APIs. Donating is free on all levels. If you can't make it out today, then come out to the drive in Life Plaza in Rowland Heights next Saturday the 26th.
be cool stay in school.
So I've been volunteering at Asians for Miracle Matches (A3M) for the last month or so. Basically it's a non-profit organization under the National Marrow Donor Program that helps Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs) find bone marrow matches. Less than 7% of the donors in the national registry are APIs, which is a problem because the chances of finding a bone marrow match is increased when the donor is of the same ethnicity as the patient.
It's super easy to get registered. All you have to do is be over 18, in good health, and just give a cheek swab. No blood, no needles.
If you are a match to someone (yay!), collection is still really easy. There are two ways:
1.) Marrow Donation
You're put under anesthesia (super fun) and they collect your bone marrow from your lower back. I do this all the time because it's basically my bone marrow biopsy. You'll be a little sore, but in comparison to the patient, you have it easy. Besides, it's only a bit of pain and you literally save someone's life.
2.) Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Donation
This is basically donating blood, but for a longer period of time. You get some shots beforehand to thicken your blood and then on the day of collection, you sit in front of a machine that takes out your blood in one arm, takes what it needs, and puts the rest back into your other arm. Simple as that.
Anyway, there's going to be a drive today at Guppy Teahouse in Cerritos (they have awesome shaved ice) and you should all come :) I'll be there trying to recruit people with my charismatic smile and my witty charm. HA! Seriously though. Please come
Here's the info:
Guppy Teahouse
11803 South St.
Cerritos, CA 90703
1 PM - 6 PM
It's on the corner of South and Pioneer. So come and donate and then eat :)
If you're still on the fence about donating, think about it this way: If my brother wasn't a match for me, would you be willing to donate your bone marrow to me? And if you still say no, think about the patients who need these transplants. The amount of pain (little pricks at most) does not outweigh the pain patients have to go through. Transplant or no transplant, it fucking sucks. If the patients don't have a transplant, they have a high risk of dying. If they do have a transplant, they have to go through radiation and treatment, which is pretty close to dying in itself, before getting the donated bone marrow. And then there's all the side effects of the radiation and donation afterward which sucks as well, but they have a greater chance of survival.
So I hope whoever reads this will make it out to Cerritos. A3M will register anyone who wishes to donate, not just APIs. Donating is free on all levels. If you can't make it out today, then come out to the drive in Life Plaza in Rowland Heights next Saturday the 26th.
be cool stay in school.