John Stoddard Cancer Center Teams up with the Iowa Marrow Donor Program
WHAT: John Stoddard Cancer Center in Des Moines, Iowa, will host a community-wide donor registry drive to raise awareness about the need for marrow donors, and to encourage healthy, young adults to join. Representatives will be available to answer questions about marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation.
Every three minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer. For thousands of patients with leukemia and other blood diseases like sickle cell anemia, a marrow transplant is their only hope. 70 percent of patients in need will not have a matched donor in their family. Patients are most likely to match someone of their own race or ethnicity.
At any one time, there are more than 35 Iowans searching through the Be The Match Registry®.
If you are between the ages of 18 and 44, patients need you! Younger donors are best for patients because they provide the greatest chance for transplant success and doctors request donors in the 18-44 age group more than 90 percent of the time. More young, healthy people of all racial and ethnic heritages are needed now.
Out of every 540 people who register, one will be identified as the best match for a patient.
Residents from Des Moines and surrounding areas who are between the ages of 18 and 44 can take the first step to save a life by joining the Iowa Marrow Donor Program and Be The Match Registry® using a simple cheek swab. It takes approximately 10 minutes to complete the registration process.
If you are interested in registering as a donor but are unable to come to the event, register online by going to http://join.bethematch.org/UnityPoint
WHEN: Thursday, September 13, 10 AM – 2 PM
WHERE: Iowa Methodist Medical Center Atrium | 1200 Pleasant Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
WHY: For thousands of patients with life-threatening diseases, such as leukemia, lymphoma and sickle cell anemia, a marrow transplant from an unrelated donor is their best or only hope for a cure. These patients depend on the national Be The Match Registry® to find a match – and a second chance at life. While many patients do find the life-saving match they need each year, more donors are needed to help increase the likelihood that all patients will find a match.
About The Iowa Marrow Donor Program
Established in 1980, the Iowa Marrow Donor Program is a donor center for Be The Match®and engages a growing community of people inspired to help patients who need a marrow or stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor. Volunteers who join the Iowa Marrow Donor Program will also be joining the Be The Match Registry® — the world’s largest and most diverse listing of potential marrow donors and donated cord blood units.
For more information, visit BeTheMatch.org or call the Iowa Marrow Donor Program at
(319) 356-3337.
Media Contact
Elena Dietz, Community Engagement Representative, Iowa Marrow Donor Program (319) 353-8350, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics; Email: elena-dietz@uiowa.edu