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I know that I don’t talk about it much on here but my Mom passed away the summer after I graduated high school in 2001. That’s right, I’m old. My Mom had colon cancer. She was one of the youngest patients her doctor had because women in their 40’s just don’t get colon cancer.
I have always wanted to do something to give back to the cancer community. My family received so much support during my Mom’s fight and I want to give back in some way. I usually walk in the American Cancer Society walk but my work schedule has been so nuts the past few years that I haven’t been able to.
Recently I was on Instagram and saw a fellow blogger who’s husband was picked to give a donation for Be The Match. After doing a little research I decided that this was something that I definitely I wanted to do. It’s easy, takes almost no time, and you have the chance to potentially save someone’s life. I can do that!
So what is Be The Match? BTM is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), a nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to creating an opportunity for all patients to receive the marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant they need, when they need it. It is the largest and most diverse donor registry in the world. Basically you register, get your tissue-typing kit in the mail, swab your cheeks, send it in, and hope you get the call!
So I registered on the Be The Match website and received my tissue-typing kit in about a week!
BTM is super quick and the instructions are super simple!
The first thing I did was label my swabs…
…and then I swabbed my cheeks! You swab top right, bottom right, top left, and bottom left. Easy peasy.
So after you do all four swabs you place them in the kit provided…
…and then you put them in the envelope to be mailed off!
Makes you feel good right? You could be the cure!!
I just want you to know that I was in no way compensated for this post, nor was I asked to post about it. I did this all on my own!!! I think this is something everyone should do. You never know, maybe you could be the cure for someone!!
Thoughts on Be The Match?
What a great program to help save lives.
And hey, we’re not old, I graduated from high school in 2001 too!
I’m sorry for the lost of your mom.
Ricci, this is fantastic. I had no idea how the match process worked- it iS easy! Thank you for the great educational post- valuable information! ♥
That is very sad about your mom. My mom passed at a young age as well, but due to other reason. This is great what you are doing… As your ‘elder’ you need to make sure you talk to your doctor –which I am sure you have– and keep up with your colonoscopies.. not fun but necessary.. Ok?
Sorry to hear about your Mom :-(. My mother passed away from breast cancer 3 years ago. There is a strong history of cancer in my family. A few years ago at a health fair I also signed up to be a Be Match National Marrow Donor program! It’s great that you did that! I’m sure that your Mom would be proud!
I may certainly do this! It looks like a great cause – definitely worth a life saving.