Saving Lives - It's in our bones

Do I look nervous? I was. This picture was taken September 10, 2010, at Northwestern Hospital, as I am about to have a massive amount of blood taken for testing. For those who don't know, I am terribly phobic of blood coming out of me (yes, I have a couple additional phobias to keep this one company). After about 30 seconds of the needle going in, I become ghostly-white, pass out, and wake about a minute later.

True to form, I did faint, but luckly had already been set up in a comfy bed, and simply blacked out for a short moment before coming back, and the entire process was wrapping up. No big deal AND I got a cookie...win/win, I say!

So, why? Well, I started thinking a while back: I do not have a baby, and am not sure if that's in the cards of me, however, I do have a deep need to create life. The next best thing would be to save life. Perhaps a little less heroic than it sounds, donating my bone marrow and/or stem cells is what I have chosen to do.

I do not yet know if I have a match, but if that does happen you can be certain I will document the entire process (but I promise not to do this in massive e-mails to my entire address book). If you have donated, or know someone who has, I'd love to hear all about it.

The more I learn, the more I wonder why everyone who can donate doesn't. Other than a little uncomfortbleness, I've heard NO horror stories, and I'm actually really excited.

The National Marrow Site has all kinds of information and resources. I found it to be incredibly helpful in my decision making. And the good that can be done with such a small proceedure is just amazing!