Bone Marrow Registry event created by student; to be held Tuesday
Saving lives in less than 15 minutes will become possible Tuesday with Central Michigan University's Bone Marrow Registry.
The bone marrow registry was brought to CMU by Northville senior Paul Young, who decided to do something to help his friend Daniel Lee. Lee, a University of Michigan student, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, which stops bone marrow from producing red and white blood cells. Past registries have been done at the University of Michigan and Michigan State.
"He's a great guy and I got to know him on a personal level visiting friends that lived with him," Young said. "I don't think I'd be able to sleep at night knowing that I can find a match for Daniel."
Young mobilized a number of registered student organizations to receive additional help with producing the registry. The Asian Cultural Organization is a sponsor for the registration event. Young said the registry was inspired by Lee, but it also helps others who need a transplant to find a match. A bone marrow registry does not involve any needles or donating marrow on the spot.
"All it takes is a single swab and filling out papers, a quick five to 10 minutes," Lansing junior and President of ACO Tony Vang said in an email. "This will help Dan and others who need bone marrow in many ways. It helps expands the registry for potential donors. Anyone on campus can be the donor to anyone."
The registry will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Bovee University Center Chippewa Room. Additional details for the registry are available on the CMU Bone Marrow Registry Facebook event page.
"I wanted to put Dan's face out there to show people that, hey, this could be anyone," Young said. "You could be saving a friend, a family member or someone you don't even know. Besides, it's not like you're giving away a kidney or something; it's a lot simpler than that"
