Be The Match® FREE EVENT! Food and Discounts at Tony Walker to Save a Life

Come to a FREE event on July 16 from 4:30-8:30
You Just Might Change a Life

By Andrew Gaddi

For children and adults with life-threatening blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma or other diseases, a cure exists. It’s called Be The Match®, and it connects patients with their donor match making it possible for them to undergo a life-saving marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant.

Right now there are thousands of children and adults waiting for a match and they need your help, so Tony Walker and Lenahan Dermatology decided to do something about it. They’ve decided to invite you to a marrow drive on July 16 from 4:30-8:30 pm, complete with complimentary food and beverages from Giancarlo’s. It all happens at Tony Walker Men’s Shop, 5110 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221.You’ll also get 10% off any purchases and another 10% will be donated to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).

More important, however, is what you need to know about marrow and blood cell transplants, so here are the facts: 

Marrow and blood cell transplants treat leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening blood diseases. More than 30,000 children and adults are diagnosed annually with diseases for which a bone marrow transplant is the only chance for cure. Only 30% will find a matching donor within their family, and you can help by becoming a donor.

A transplant involves replacing the patient’s bone marrow with healthy new blood forming cells that matches the tissue type of the patient.

To become a donor you must be 18 – 44 years old, without any history of cancer, diabetes or heart problems.

Just a simple swab of the inside of your cheek provides the necessary tissue typing information. This is then put into the NMDP computerized registry that records individuals who have agreed to potentially donate marrow or stem cells. From here they are able to “match” potential donors with patients in need.

If you are found to be a match you will receive a call regarding the process. The donor does not have to travel to where the patient lives, as donation can be done locally. Eighty percent of all transplants simply involve donating blood.

There is no cost associated with bone marrow screening. It is completely FREE!

Please consider saving a life by becoming a donor. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help please feel free to call Terrie Carbone at 845-8011 or Michael Garbin of the National Marrow Donor Program at 1-888-298-6571 or www.marrow.org

We look forward to seeing you on July 16. It just might make a difference in the life of a young child or a parent who wants to see their child grow up.

About the Author:

Drew Gaddi is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Biology at the University at Buffalo. He is also a volunteer ambassador with Be The Match®. Drew’s close friend was recently diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma. His physician told him that his only hope for survival is a bone marrow transplant.