The following announcement was sent out by organizers of the bone marrow drive:
Marrow Registry Drive
WHAT: Watertown area residents can take the first step to save a life by joining the Be The Match Registry between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at First Parish of Watertown, using a simple cheek swab.
Patients are most likely to match someone of their own ethnic background, and doctors request donors in the 18-44 age group more than 85 percent of the time. More young people of diverse ethnic background are needed now to help patients searching for a match.
Be The Match relies on financial contributions to help cover the $100 cost associated with adding each new member to the registry. Those joining are asked to please give what they can. People between the ages of 45 and 60 who want to join the registry are welcome to do so online with a $100 tax-deductible payment.
WHEN:
June 2, 2018 9 am -12 pm
WHERE: First Parish of Watertown, 35 Church Street, Watertown
About Be The Match
For people with life-threatening blood cancers—like leukemia and lymphoma—or other diseases, a cure exists. Be The Match connects patients with their donor match for a life-saving marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant. People can contribute to the cure as a member of the Be The Match Registry, financial contributor or volunteer. Be The Match provides patients and their families one-on-one support, education, and guidance before, during and after transplant.
Be The Match is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), a nonprofit organization that matches patients with donors, educates health care professionals and conducts research so more lives can be saved. To learn more about the cure, visit BeTheMatch.org or call 1 (800) MARROW-2.