Pharmacy students hosting stem cell donor drive
Every year, more than 15,000 people in the U.S. are in need of a blood stem cell donation from an unrelated person.
Next Wednesday, April 26, the WVU chapter of the National Community Pharmacists Association is hosting a donor registration drive for DKMS, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Donor registration events will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Health Sciences Center Pylons Commons and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the WVU Cancer Center Atrium during a Kappa Psi blood drive.
Registration takes less than a few minutes. Participants will get a packet from volunteers, ensure they meet the criteria and swab their cheek for 30 seconds.
As a donor, you will be placed on the registry and contacted if you are a match for a patient. 80% of donations are an outpatient 3-4 procedure somewhat similar to a blood donation, and 20% are bone marrow transplants. Everything will be paid for by DKMS, and you receive your own care team for any questions and concerns. Just because you enter the registry, you are not bound to donate in the future if you are a match.
Volunteers will be available during the registration drive to answer any questions.