Are you a match?

Published Jan. 15, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Rebekah Phy
305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Every year, thousands of adults and children need bone marrow transplants. Of those, about 70 percent do not have a genetically-matched family member who can donate. That's where un-related donors step in.

After a Team McGuire member was identified as in need of a transplant, a bone marrow drive was recently held here. Donors provided tissue specimens in hopes of matching someone in need of bone marrow.

"The drive was for anyone who needs marrow," said Capt. Chantal Cousineau, 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, who coordinated the drive. "The McGuire member happens to be one of them."

Captain Cousineau said the 333 collected specimens will be matched against the DoD bone marrow registry, which is also linked to the national registry.

"The DoD has its own supply of bone marrow and platelets - in case of disasters, the DoD can collect needed specimens in a more efficient time period. However, the specimens will also be matched against recipients in the national marrow registry."

Each potential donor filled out a DNA consent form before providing a specimen. With a few swabs of their cheek, each potential donor collected tissue that will help determine if they are a possible match for someone in need of bone marrow.

"If someone is determined a preliminary match, based on their DNA sample, the odds are about one in 10 they will be able to donate," Captain Cousineau said. "At that time, additional tests are performed for more in-depth screening.

"If determined to be a match, the donor will travel to Washington, D.C., where the bone marrow transplant will be done."

Military personnel who match a recipient will be given permissive TDY to complete the donation. Those on flying status will be removed from flying status for four to six weeks for recovery.

Captain Cousineau said donors will be slightly sore after donating bone marrow, but it's worth it for the recipient whose life is on the line.

"For some, a bone marrow transplant is their best chance," she said. "For my patient, it's his only chance."

The 305th Medical Group laboratory will soon become an official site for collecting bone marrow specimens. For more information on the DoD's bone marrow registry, visit www.dodmarrow.com.