Bone Marrow Registry Drive Nets 41 Potential Donors

Forty-one people entered the Be The Match bone marrow registry Sunday in La Grange during the drive to help find a donor for cancer patient Tammy Aguilar.

Though it’s too early to know if any of the donors fit Aguilar’s profile, she wrote Sunday night that she is grateful for the turnout.

Aguilar was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2009. She needs a stem cell transplant this fall from a donor’s bone marrow to continue her recovery.

“It’s very important (that people join the registry) because patients like Tammy are in need and aren’t always able to find a match in their family,” said Lauren Johnson, the Be The Match representative who coordinated this drive. “The more people in the registry, the better the chance of helping patients like her.”

Patients are more likely to find a match with someone of the same ethnic background, so it’s important that a diverse group of people sign up for the registry, Johnson said.

You can still register with Be The Match if you weren’t able to make it to the event at the La Grange-Brookfield Seventh-Day Adventist Church. 

Aguilar is hoping to organize other drives at area schools and hospitals. Be The Match will also mail a kit to your home if you sign up at BeTheMatch.org. Finally, Aguilar herself has kits and can meet you with one if that’s easier. (Email me at lauren.williamson@patch.com, and I’ll put you in touch.)

Prospective donors must be between the ages of 18 and 44 and in good health.

For more information, visit BeTheMatch.org.