On Martin Luther King Day, January 19, people can give the ultimate gift of life by joining the National Marrow Donor Program registration drive at three convenient locations.  The regular processing fee to join the registry is $52.   A donor can help to make a difference in the lives of patients battling sickle cell anemia and other forms of blood disease, as well as cancers, such as lymphoma and leukemia. These patients often do not have marrow donors in their families. In order to live, they must find the best possible bone marrow match from someone having the same racial and ethnic backgrounds.   Joining the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP) is quick and easy. Adults ages 18-60 can register. All that's needed is the completion of a donor registration and consent form, and a quick swab of the inside the cheeks for a cell sample. Later, if NMDP discovers that a person is a bone marrow match for a patient, he or she will be contacted for a simple blood draw. The process is very secure and confidential.   Walk-ins are welcome to join the NMDP at anyone of the following area registration sites on Monday, January 19, 2009.   Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish        MSU Union Building                               Wing Heaven 3815 S. Cedar Street                            Abbot Road at Grand Rive Avenue        5050 S. Waverly Road Lansing, MI 48910                                Michigan State University                      Lansing, MI 48911 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.                                    East Lansing, MI 48823                               11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Near the blood drive station                9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.                                 In the service area                                                             On the 2nd floor   This marrow donor registration drive is sponsored by Capital Area United Way, the NMDP, and the Office of Black Catholic Ministry.   Anyone who needs information can call Pat Hemingway or Eric Trosko. Pat's phone number at Capital Area United Way is (517)203-5022, and Eric's phone number at the National Marrow Donor Office is (517)337-2980, ext. 101.

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