How to register to be a bone marrow donor
How I did it: I am from South Africa, so my experience will probably only be relevant to other South Africans. It was so easy! I called the Sunflower Fund, gave them some information about myself over the phone, they emailed me a form which I then took to my nearest branch of the South African National Blood Service where they took a sample of my blood - and that was it! Now my information is archived and if I'm matched to someone I'll be called to donate. Something I learned is that donating marrow is an incredibly simple and unobtrusive procedure, much like donating blood. It used to be rather invasive, but now the marrow is harvested from the blood after it is released with the help of hormones. The whole process only takes a few hours. Definitely worth it!
Lessons & tips: The Sunflower Fund is a non-profit organisation and they do not ask you for any payment to become a part of the bone marrow registry. It is however a costly process to test your blood and where possible donations to help them with these costs are obviously welcome.
Resources: Get in touch with the Sunflower Fund, they will give you all the direction you need to become a donor.
www.sunflowerfund.org.za
0800 12 10 82
