posted May 07, 2008 10:22 AM         

People can get leukemia at any age. This year alone, about and 40,440 adults and 3,800 children are expected to develop leukemia. It is most common in people over age 60. The most common types in adults are AML and CLL. ALL is the most common form of leukemia in children. Leukemia is a non-discriminatory cancer, it can affect anyone of any age. And unlike most cancers, it does not run in families - everyone is at risk. Some are lucky enough to find a donor match, but most people aren't as lucky. Many wait out the rest of their lives, hoping for a bone marrow match.

On any given day, more than 6,000 men, women and children are searching the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry for a life-saving donor like you. These patients have leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases that can be treated by a bone marrow or cord blood transplant. For many of these patients, a transplant may be the best and only hope of a cure.

Please take a moment to join the registry. The normal fees have been waived in honor of Mother's Day, so it is completely free to you. After you register online, they will send you a pre-paid envelope, and some cotton swabs. Swab your mouth, put the swabs in the envelope and put it in your mailbox. It's THAT easy.

I know that some of you won't be able to register due to medications, pregnancy, or other health issues, but please, pass it forward to anyone you think might be interested. It only takes a second, and you could save a life. It is because of donated marrow that many people are alive to see their families grow...so if you think you can't make a difference, think again.

Please follow the link below and join the registry. The promotion runs from May 5th-May 19th
http://www.donorgarden.org/main/default.aspx?src=ThxMom_Marrow_Garden

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We are weaving character every day, and the way to weave the best character is to be kind and to be useful. Think right, act right; it is what we think and do that makes us who we are. ~ Elbert Hubbard