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| 3-step Cheek Swab Guide |
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Visit Jake's bethematch.org's registration page: join.bethematch.org/matchjake
Confirm you meet their basic registry guidelines.
Complete the online form and order your registration kit. It will be mailed to you FOR FREE. |
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When your kit arrives, follow the instructions to collect a swab of cheek cells with the four included Q-tips.
Insert the Q-tips back in the provided foam package and seal the kit. |
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Mail the kit back for free. It's that easy. Your swab will be analyzed and registered with the National Bone Marrow Program. If you are a match for Jake, a representative will contact you about becoming a donor for Jake's transplant.
See NBMP's registration FAQ for more info.
Even if you are not a match for Jake, you may be a match for someone else!
Visit our Jake/Aplastic Anemia FAQ for more useful info & resources.
* For those outside the US, check out this list of International Bone Marrow Registries. *
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The two bone donation processes differ slightly (info from cheekswab.org):
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell: Completing a PBSC donation is not a commonly painful procedure. The drug used to increase blood-forming cells (filgrastim) can cause mild muscle soreness, but does not commonly impact day-to-day activities. Less than 1% of PBSC donors experience a serious side effect from the procedure.
Marrow Donation: Because donors are asleep during the procedure, donors feel no pain while marrow is extracted. However, upon waking up some soreness is expected. Donors are likely to need a day or two or longer for the lower back soreness to subside, depending on various factors like age, activity level, and general health. Painkillers are likely to be prescribed. The majority (more than 98.5%) of donors from the Be The Match Registry feel completely recovered within a few weeks. A small percentage (1.34%) of donors experience a serious complication due to anesthesia or damage to bone, nerve or muscle in their hip region.
For more info, visit the National Marrow Donor Program's FAQ
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