Today Is * National Donor Day * - You Can Help!

Today is National Donor Day -- a day to give the gift of life.

When I was diagnosed with leukemia nearly 8 years ago, my best treatment option at that time, and one that was considered life-saving, would have been a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, despite a worldwide search for a compatible bone marrow donor, none was found. I really thought that I was a goner, because that was the only way to put my leukemia into remission. Fortunately for me, a new drug was eventually developed that has been widely successful.

But there are many babies, children and adults across the country who need life-saving organ and tissue donations right now. So put down that box of Valentine's chocolates and step up to the plate.

Some ways you can make a difference in someone's life and possibly even save a life:

• Fill out an organ and tissue donation card, register with your State Donor Registry and make sure your family knows you want to be a donor.



• Join the National Marrow Donor Program Registry of potential volunteer marrow and blood stem cell donors. I myself had joined this registry years before I was ever diagnosed with leukemia. Today, stem cell donation is much easier, and registration very simple.



• Learn how you can donate your baby's umbilical cord blood stem cells at birth. Do NOT buy into the hype and bank your baby's cord blood privately. Studies show that private banking is costly and ineffective, and it takes away an option for people who need cord blood transplants right now.



• Donate blood

Not convinced? Here are some reasons why organ and tissue donation is so sorely needed:

• Almost 95,000 people are in need of an organ for transplant.



• Approximately 35,000 children and adults in our country have life-threatening blood diseases that could be treated by a marrow or blood stem cell or cord blood transplant.



• Every two seconds someone in America needs blood, more than 39,000 units each day, according to the American Red Cross.

So this Valentine's Day, think about how you can help someone else, rather than focusing only on the commercialism.