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Be the Match

By Kerrie La Guardia

Services for Real Estate Pros with ActiveRain, Community Manager

July 16, 2012 03:56 AM

My brother-in-law got me involved with Be the Match recently. Be the Match is dedicated to matching up patients with available donors. One of the programs they run in providing bone marrow to patients in need.

Their Mission Statement:

Every year, thousands of people of all ages are diagnosed with blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma, sickle cell anemia or other life-threatening diseases. Many of them will die unless they get a bone marrow or cord blood transplant from a matching donor. Seventy percent of people do not have a donor in their family and depend on our Be The Match Registry to find a match to save their life.

I signed up on their site and soon received a kit in the mail. It included 4 cotton swabs that you wipe your inner cheek with and then send back in the prepaid envelope they provide. That was it, easy as pie.

I'm hopeful that I am a match and can selflessly save a life. If you're interested, please register and do the same. You never know who's life you may save.

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John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

No better way to pay it forward Kerrie!

Jul 16, 2012 03:59 AM

Cindy Hallas

Amerifirst Financial, Inc. - Scottsdale, AZ

Sr. Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS # 334571

Very nice Kerrie. Very nice. :) God bless you.

Jul 16, 2012 04:03 AM

Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ

HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Kerrie - what a wonderful, selfless act! Bless you. I'm a little nervous about doing that. Can you provide some personal insights from your brother to encourage us along? Thanks!

Jul 16, 2012 04:18 AM

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Kerrie - what a wonderful thing to do and I'm sure there's a very lucky person out there who life you will save. I'm still waiting to donate my kidney to Barbara (I had no idea she could go on this long with only 20% kidney function) but until she's below 20% she'll reject my kidney and insurance won't cover it! Now that a year has passed, all my tests have expired so I have to take them all again. This time I'm waiting until she's in complete kidney failure and ready for dialysis! I think the tests are worse than donating my kidney, lol!

You're setting a great example of how we can all save lives and by posting on AR will you will inspire many others to do the same. You are truly an inspiration on so many levels and I'm so proud of you!

Jul 16, 2012 04:42 AM

Anonymous

Kerrie's Brother In Law

Hi,
I'm on the registry but I've never had to actually donate it so I'm only going off the information on their website. I think there is a common misconception that the process is really painful which isn't true. Firstly in most cases they can get what they need from your blood (PBSC) so it would be similar to giving blood. Secondly, even if they do need to get the cells from your femur, it's uncomfortable but not painful since they use an anesthetic.

No medical procedure is without risk but I figure the very small risk is worth it if it could save someone's lives.

If you need inspiration watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihGCj5mfCk8

If you're worried about the donation process: http://marrow.org/Join/Myths_and_Facts/Myths___Facts_about_Donation.aspx

If you want to help find a cure, make a donation here:
http://www.crowdrise.com/owainsarmyrides2012/fundraiser/robturner

Q: What is the donation process like?
A: Adult donors may be asked to donate in one of two ways:

Bone marrow donation is a surgical procedure in which liquid marrow is withdrawn from the back of the donor's pelvic bones using special, hollow needles. General or regional anesthesia is always used for this procedure, so donors feel no needle injections and no pain during marrow donation. Most donors feel some pain in their lower back for a few days afterwards.
Peripheral blood cell (PBSC) donation involves removing a donor's blood through a sterile needle in one arm. The blood is passed through a machine that separates out the cells used in transplants. The remaining blood is returned through the other arm.

Thanks,
Rob

Jul 16, 2012 04:47 AM

Suzanne McLaughlin

Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN

Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Well, Miss Kerrie, your brother-in-law made me feel much more comfortable about raising my hand. I will get this done later today. Thank you, dear, for bringing this to our attention again!

Jul 16, 2012 05:00 AM

Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula

Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA

Realty Works Temecula

Kerrie: This is such useful information to get the word out about donating the gift of life!

Jul 16, 2012 05:06 AM

Brenda Mullen

RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX

Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

You know...I may just do this. What a wonderful way to pay it forward and possibly save a life Kerrie! Awesome!

Jul 16, 2012 06:38 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Kerrie,

I think this is a grand gesture of paying it forward like John Mc Cormack stated. Thanks for bringing attention to this. A

Jul 16, 2012 07:46 AM

William Feela

WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN

Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I signed a donor box on my drivers license. This is also an idea. I will check it out.

Jul 16, 2012 09:01 AM

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Kerrie, I have known several people that needed bone marrow transplants. I had no idea this service was out there. I think I will check into it future and see if with my health issues they would even want me.

Jul 16, 2012 10:17 AM

Liz and Bill Spear

Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH

Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Kerrie, There was a Be The Match sign up drive at my day job a year or two ago. Piece o' cake to get registered. No calls yet, but know the potential is out there. Bill

Jul 16, 2012 11:25 AM

Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert

Richmond, TX

Kerrie,

I was watching Good Morning America and that is when I learned of this! Good blog, people need to know more about this and we can save many lives!

Jul 16, 2012 11:47 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Kerrie- this is the true spirit of our country.. helping out at the grass roots level. Thanks to your brother-in-law Rob for the explanation. I have a friend waiting to see who in her family may match her brother who has a rare form of cancer.

Jul 16, 2012 11:54 AM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I learned about this a couple of years ago from a fellow Activerainer. Elizabeth Weintraub introducted me and I signed up. I would be thrilled if they called.

Jul 16, 2012 12:10 PM

Ellen Caruso

Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

What a sweet life giving idea! I hope it has successful results for you.

Jul 16, 2012 12:11 PM

Bryan Robertson

Los Altos, CA

I'll have to look into this in more detail. My father just went in for testing for what is called "pre-leukemia" and it turns out he has it. I think doing something to help people who have to deal with this could be very rewarding.

Jul 16, 2012 10:47 PM

Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate

M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Kerrie, Wow, what a great program and a great way to give a gift to someone that so desperately needs it.

Jul 17, 2012 02:11 AM

Kerrie La Guardia

ActiveRain, Community Manager - Kirkland, WA

Let it Rain!

I'm so happy to hear that many of you are already signed up! Way to go 'Rainers!!!

Bryan - I am sorry to hear abut your father. I wish him well and let me know if you need anything.

Jul 17, 2012 02:21 AM

Charlie Ragonesi

AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA

Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

Who knew Kerrie. I will ask my wife about the procedure and then make a decision about signing up. Thanks for the info

Jul 17, 2012 06:14 AM

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