SFCC Nurses Host Bone Marrow Drive
The South Florida Community College (SFCC) Student Nurses Association (SNA) is hosting a Bone Marrow Drive on Friday, Feb. 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., in the Health and Science Education Center, Highlands Campus.
SNA is pairing with DKMS, the world’s largest bone marrow donor center, to register new donors in the area. “Every four minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer; every 10 minutes blood cancer takes a life,” states DKMS. Bone marrow transplants provide lifesaving treatments for patients with leukemia and other blood disorders by replacing their unhealthy marrow with healthy blood-forming cells.
To register, potential donors must fill out the proper paperwork, answer a series of questions and submit a cheek swab. The donor and patient must have at least eight tissue characteristics in common to have a positive match. If matched to a patient, the donor will be asked to give a blood sample for further testing and undergo a thorough physical examination. Once matched, there are two ways to donate: peripheral blood stem cell donation and bone marrow donation. The peripheral blood stem cell donation collects cells via the bloodstream. The bone marrow donation collects marrow cells from the backside of the pelvic bone using a special syringe.
Becoming a potential donor requires true commitment, understanding, and willingness to donate to any patient in need. “It is a very invasive procedure, said Kathleen Cappo, professor, nursing, and SNA advisor. “We want to register people who are truly committed to help leukemia patients worldwide.”
For more information about the Bone Marrow Drive, contact the SFCC Nursing Department at 863-784-7225 or ext. 7225.
