Michigan Marrow Donor Registry Drives Are Part of National Effort

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (May 7, 2007):  Staff from Michigan Community Blood Centers Marrow/Stem Cell Program will conduct seven special drives in four cities to recruit marrow/stem-cell donors for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) during NMDP’s “Thanks, Mom!” donor recruitment campaign May 7-21. During this time, NMDP asks people to commemorate Mother’s Day by honoring their mother with a commitment to NMDP’s international donor registry. “Thanks, Mom!” marrow donor registry drives conducted by Michigan Community Blood Centers will be held as follows:

• Tuesday, May 8 - 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Saint Mary’s Health Care, 200 Jefferson SE, Grand Rapids, MI
• Wednesday, May 9 – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  Curtis Community Building, 209 S. Sheldon, Edmore, MI
• Thursday, May 10 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  Claytor Elementary School, 3200 Perkins, Saginaw, MI
• Saturday, May 12 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  Impact of Wesleyan Church, 1069 Lincoln Lake Road SE, Lowell, MI
• Tuesday, May 15 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Ronald McDonald House of West Michigan, 1323 Cedar NE, Grand Rapids, MI
• Friday, May 18 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  Spectrum Health-Butterworth Campus, Renucci Hospitality House
  100 Michigan NE, Grand Rapids, MI
• Friday, May 18 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  Spectrum Health-Blodgett Campus, 1840 Wealthy SE, Grand Rapids, MI

Prospective marrow donors must be between the ages of 18 and 60, and in good health. Minority donors are especially needed. The best chance of matching donors with transplant candidates are found among people who share the same racial or ethnic background. It is estimated that marrow/stem-cell transplant could benefit more than 35,000 patients with life-threatening diseases each year.

Michigan Community Blood Centers Marrow/Stem Cell program recruits prospective marrow donors throughout Michigan. For more information: Katherine Kwiatkowski, 616-233-8554.

© Michigan Community Blood Centers