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Oakland University Hosts Bone Marrow Donor Registration Drive

ROCHESTER HILLS (WWJ) - The Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine is hoping the community will come out and register to be bone marrow donors.

Rochester resident Craig Bowman was battling leukemia and eventually needed a bone marrow transplant to save his life.

Talking Monday to WWJ Health Reporter Dr. Deanna Lites, Bowman said he's grateful he got a donor and encourages others to sign up.

"I think it's a vital responsibility of everyone to look at those who are in need and come to the rescue," Bowman said.

The bone marrow registry is especially looking for people between the ages of 18 to 44 who are in good health.

But how does it work?

Stephanie Swanberg, an assistant professor and Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine medical librarian who organized this year's event, say it's a simple process.

"We will collect a sample of cells by swabbing the inside of the cheek," Swanberg said. "The sample is used to compare, and ideally match up, specific protein markers with patients who need a bone marrow transplant."

Swanberg says around 70 percent of patients in need of a bone marrow transplant have to look outside their family, and only 2 percent of the U.S. population is currently on the registry.

Registering to be an organ donor is even easier — just a simple two-step online process with a valid Michigan driver's license. Those who are not Michigan residents or who do not have a driver's license may sign up using their address and birthdate.

"By being on the organ donor registry, one person could potentially save up to eight lives and leave a lasting impact for some of the 123,000 people currently waiting for an organ," Swanberg said.

The drive will be held Monday, Oct. 6 from noon to 4 p.m., and Tuesday-Wednesday, Oct. 7-8 from 8  a.m. to 4 p.m. in the main hallway of the Oakland Center on the Oakland University campus. [Get directions HERE].

For more details about the donor registries, visit bethematch.org and giftoflifemichigan.org.

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