BY PAUL KAMPE
Clarkston News Staff Writer
The number of bone marrow donors listed in the national registry might get a bit bigger after next weekend.
Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Clarkston is hosting a bone marrow drive on Sunday, August 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The goal is to help three-year-old Thomas ‘Hawk? Maier, diagnosed with Leukemia in late 2004
Thomas received a transplant from his eight-year-old brother in the spring of 2005; however, the Leukemia returned this February. The National Marrow Donor Program says on its Web site that only 30 percent of patients in need of a transplant are able to find a match in their own family.
The drive costs $52 for participants, which includes their enrollment in the national marrow donor registry. Funds are available for financial assistance.
The marrow drive should take a potential donor roughly 15 minutes. In that time, he or she will have their mouth swabbed to determine tissue type and health related paperwork will be completed. Potential donors need to be between 18 and 60 years of age and they must meet health guidelines, according to the NMDP.
Thomas? aunt, Julie Kelly of Ortonville, organized the drive. She said everything took nearly one month to get coordinated. Kelly also headed up a marrow drive in May at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Lapeer that saw 63 people.
‘It’s our turn to pay back and get more people put into the registry,? Kelly said.
Gayle Buschur, director of Outreach and Evangelism for the church, said she expects up to 50 people for the event. ‘We really hope for a good turnout.?
The goal is to find an unrelated match for Thomas.
‘At the minimum, it increases the (number of) people out there willing to give,? Buschur said.
Kelly said the family is looking for another donor for Thomas, who could be ready for a transplant next month.
During donation, a doctor removes liquid marrow from a donor’s pelvic bones. Donors may feel soreness in their lower back for a couple days, but most donors are back to their everyday routines within a few days, the NMDP says.
Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 6805 Bluegrass Drive. For more information call (248) 625-3288. For more information on marrow donation, visit http://www.marrow.org.