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Swabbing

October 13, 2009 by Joy the Baker 68 Comments

Swabbing 

What’s going on in my world?  

Oooh the usual… just swabbing my cheeks, barcoding the samples, labeling them a biohazard, shoving them in an envelope and leaving them for the postman.  That’s normal… I do this nearly everyday.

I’m swabbing because I just put myself on the Be The Match list with the National Marrow Donation Program.  The National Marrow Donation Program houses a giant list and genetic samples of possible donors… a list about 12 million people long.  Dang!  Doctors look for genetic matches for patients that suffer from life threatening illnesses like leukemia and lymphoma.  Sometimes doctors and patients find a genetic match among the millions on the list… sometimes they don’t.  

If I’m a match, some doctors will come to knock me out and take bone marrow from my lower back.  Someone gets my good bone marrow and I grow my own bone marrow back.  Success!  I decided to become a part of the National Marrow Donation Program because I feel blessed enough to be strong and healthy, and would be more than happy to share that health with someone else.  

It’s a bit commitment … one that I considered for months before signing up.  See, there’s needles… and many hours of prep and testing before the actual donation begins.  And… needles.  

I’m not telling you about the National Marrow Donation Program because I want you to rush out and sign up.  It was the right choice for me… but it might not be for everyone.  But… if you think marrow donation might be right up your alley, well then heck!  Get on it!  I just wanted to share.  Now you know what I’m up to when I’m not in the kitchen making cookie dough, or avoiding dishes, or snacking, or drinking wine, or being otherwise silly and unproductive.  

Now you know. 

Swabbing 

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Categories: Beyond the Kitchen

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Reader Interactions

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  1. Chelsea

    July 22, 2015 at 9:56 am

    Just wanted to say, years later thinking of this post inspired me to sign up. My husband wants to sign up too. So, thank you!

    Reply
  2. Cacky

    February 19, 2010 at 12:08 pm

    Thank you for posting this! I have signed up and have a kit coming to my house in 1 week. If I save a life, it’s you saving a life too! Thank you for an incredible blog, a full belly, and helping me know how to make a difference.

    Reply
  3. jen

    November 6, 2009 at 11:05 am

    thank you for this entry. it was the encouragement I needed to finally decide to register. Love the blog!

    Reply
  4. Krista Sue

    October 31, 2009 at 8:44 am

    Thank you for your willingness to donate! My husband had CML 3 years ago and had a bone marrow transplant. He is cancer free and I am so grateful for his donor who happened to be his sister. We feel so blessed. I am grateful for people like you! I hope you inspire others to be a donor. There are so many people who need a transplant and can’t find the right donor. I love your website! It brings “Joy” to my everyday life!

    Reply
  5. Soupdiva

    October 20, 2009 at 12:00 am

    Allright, you inspired me to send away for my own testing kit. You ROCK! Can I make a recipe suggestion? My mother’s favorite thing to give her siblings at christmas are homemade cookies and fudge. Sad part is, every one of them has type 2 diabetes. She always made cookies, because she couldn’t afford gifts most years, so now it’s a cherished holiday tradition, but none of them should be eating them. SO, is it even possible to make walnut fudge that is type 2 diabetic friendly? Just curious. You work miracles, if there is a way, I know you’ll have the answer! Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Linda

    October 19, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    Thank you for reminding me to update my address with the Donor Registry! And good for you for signing up. I can’t help but think, if my child needed a transplant I’d sure hope someone who was a match had signed up. I hope to be that person for someone else’s child someday.

    Reply
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