Dispelling the Stem Cell Donation Myth: Netflix, Cookies, and Saving Lives. A Miracle Cure Starts with a Simple Cheek Swab.
Podcast Episode #33: Short Conversations To Inspire You To Be Great
“Whenever a person is given a new lease on life, how can you be anything other than exuberant and thankful," said Wayne Misselbeck from Vermont. Misselbeck spent his career caring for others as an ER doctor. He needed a blood stem cell transplant to stay alive at the height of the pandemic. Joyful tears and grateful hearts at a recent celebration of life in Boston at a Gift of Life marrow registry fundraiser. The New England lymphoma survivor met the selfless stranger from South Carolina, who gave him the most priceless gift by donating stem cells.
You have the power to save a life by donating your stem cells. And it’s as easy as a cheek swab.
Approximately every three minutes, a child or adult in the United States is diagnosed with blood cancer. For many, there is hope of a cure through a bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplant. Today, the transplantation of healthy stem cells donated by related and unrelated donors can make the difference between life and death.
The generosity of peripheral stem cell donors has saved thousands of lives worldwide. Each donation represents a remarkable act of compassion. And it’s easy to donate. There is a big myth about donating your stem cells. Here is the basic process:
1st takeaway: A simple cheek swab can save a life. It takes less than 5 minutes.
2nd takeaway: Let’s debunk the myth that donating stem cells is done by breaking bones or other nonsense. The reality is you watch Netflix and eat warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies while you donate your blood and save a life. Why are stem cells so important? They save lives every year -- thousands of lives.
WHAT IS BLOOD CANCER? Blood cancer is an umbrella term for cancers that affect the blood, bone marrow and lymphatic system. In most blood cancers, normal blood cell development is interrupted by uncontrolled growth of abnormal blood cells. The abnormal blood cells can prevent blood from fighting off infection or preventing uncontrolled bleeding. Unfortunately, blood cancer can strike any one of us at any time. An estimated 186,400 people will be diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma in 2021. There are three main types of blood cancers: Leukemia, cancer that is found in your blood and bone marrow; Lymphoma, blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system; and Myeloma, blood cancer that specifically targets your plasma cells.
A 20-MIN. CONVERSATION WITH THE FOUNDER OF GIFT OF LIFE. Jay Feinberg’s story is a testament to turning adversity into triumph. Since it’s inception - thousands of lives have been save by Gift of Life’s registry. Gift of Life partners with over 120 college campuses called Campus Ambassador Program across the U.S. to encourage students to register as donors and get swabbed to be a potential match for patients with blood diseases. At campuses, The Gift of Life holds 'Swab Week' and collects thousands of swabs that result in lifesaving matches.
Back 27 years ago, when Jay was diagnosed with leukemia little did he know that his journey would pave the way for the birth of a remarkable grassroots organization he would start called Gift of Life. Facing the daunting prospect of a bone marrow transplant for his survival, Jay's personal experience became the catalyst for this inspiring venture. In the face of his illness, Jay was confronted with the harsh reality that finding a matching donor would be an uphill battle, potentially costing him his life. It became evident that the chances of discovering a genetic match were significantly higher among individuals of similar ethnic backgrounds. Unfortunately, the existing worldwide registry lacked representation from diverse ethnic groups, including Jay's Jewish heritage. Time became an urgent factor, highlighting the critical need to diversify the registry promptly. Advances in transplantation have made stem cell donation a reality for thousands now alive today because a stranger gave them their stem cells as a Gift of Life! CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT GIFT OF LIFE
FYI: The process to join the registry couldn't be easier. I hope you are inspired to complete the quick and painless swab for the chance to be someone's miracle. You can request a swab kit at www.giftof life.org/swab.
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