Life Saving Information

Posted in: Blog by chirocare on December 30, 2010

Be The Match offers a unique opportunity for us to join in the most uplifting activity one can imagine: uniting to save lives.  The Be The Match Registry is the largest and most diverse in the world.  Through partnerships with organizations like Chiropractic Care & Sports Rehab, more potential donors step forward, more resources are available to patients, and more scientific discovery is made so that together, we can save more lives than before. 

Be the one to save a life. 

Thousands of patients with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases hope for a marrow donor who can make their transplant possible.  70% of patients don’t have a donor match in their family. They depend on people like you.  When you join the Be The Match Registry, you become part of every patient’s search for Adonor.  You have the power to save a life. 

 What do you have to do to join the registry?  First, complete a registration form with contact information, health history and a signed agreement to join the registry.  Second, give a swab of your cheek cells so your tissue type can be determined.  Totally painless. 

To be a member of the registry all you need is to: Be between the ages of 18 and 60.   Be willing to donate to any patient in need.  Meet the health guidelines

The Health Guidelines

• HIV, Hepatitis, Heart Disease, Cancer, Chronic Lung Disease, Diabetes, blood clotting or bleeding diseases, recent back surgery or ongoing back problems, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, other Autoimmune/neurological disorders, sleep apnea, organ recipient and significant obesity would prevent you from joining. 

 Once you join the Registry…

1)      How likely is it you will be called to donate?  You may never be a match or you might be one of a number of potential matches.  But you may also be the only one on the registry who can save the patient’s life. 

2)      How much time does it take to donate?  It could take up to 30-40 hours including travel time, over a 4 to 6 week period. 

3)      Who pays for donation expenses?  Donors never pay for donating, and are never paid to donate.  Be The Match covers the medical costs and reimburses all travel costs. 

4)      Can you change your mind about donating?  Your commitment to donate if called is very important, but you have the right to change your mind. 

STEPS TO DONATE

1. Answer the call that you are a possible match for a patient.
2. Give another cheek swab or blood sample to confirm the best match possible.
3. Attend an information session.
4. Give blood-forming cells (PBSC donation), or give marrow.
5. Recover from any side effects.
6. Receive follow-up support.  You will get more information every step of the way. 

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There are Two Ways to Donate.  The patient’s doctor makes the request, depending on what is best for the patient.  In both types, the donors typically go home the same day they donate. Only 1%-5% of a donor’s marrow is taken and the marrow completely replaces itself in 4 to 6 weeks. 

 1^st- PBSC Donation: Peripheral blood stem cell donation is the most common form of donating today.  This is non-surgical.  For 5 days before donation, the donor receives daily injections of a drug that increases blood-forming cells in the bloodstream.  On the fifth day, the donor’s blood is removed through a needle in one arm and passed through a machine that separates out the blood-forming cells.  The remaining blood is returned to the donor through the other arm. 

Donors may experience headache, bone or muscle aches for several days before collection.  These side effects typically disappear shortly after donation.  Most PBSC donors are back to their normal routine in 1 to 2 days. 

 2^nd- MARROW Donation: Marrow donation is a surgical procedure.  While the donor is under anesthesia, the doctor uses needles to withdraw liquid marrow from the back of the pelvic bone.  After donation, marrow donors can expect to feel some soreness in the lower back for a few days.  Marrow donors are typically back to their usual routine in 2 to 7 days. 

DONATION MYTHS & FACTS

Myth: All donations involve surgery.  Fact: The majority of donations do not involve sugery.  Today, the patients doctor most often requests a peripheral blood stem cell donation, which is non-surgical.  Myth: Donating is painful and involves a long recovery.  Fact: There can be uncomfortable but short-lived side effects of donating PBSC; headaches, joint/muscle aches or fatigue.  Those donating marrow recieve general or regional anesthesia, so they feel no pain during donation.  Marrow donors can expect to feel soreness in their low back.  Myth: Donating is dangerous and weakens the donor.  Fact: Though no medical procedure is without risk, there are rarely long-term side effects.  Be The Match carefully prescreens all donors to ensure they are healthy and the procedure is safe for them.  Because only 5% or less of a donor’s marrow is needed to save the patients life, the donor’s immune system stays strong and the cells replace themselves within 4 – 6 weeks.  Myth: In marrow donation, pieces of bone are removed from the donor.  Fact: No pieces of bone are taken during marrow donation.  Only the liquid marrow found inside the pelvic bone is needed to save the patient’s life.

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 There is a Great Need for Diversity- Because tissue types are inherited; patients are most likely to match someone of their own race or ethnicity.  People of every background are needed.  Registry members from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds are especially needed, so every patient has a second chance at life. 

• Black or African American, American Indian, Asian and South Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders, Hispanic or Latino and Multiple race are the most urgently needed backgrounds. 

**

 When we work with Be The Match to grow and diversify the registry, we take the first step toward making a transplant possible for a patient.  The larger the registry, the more likely it is that a patient will have a matching donor.  The National Donor Program, which operates the Be The Match Registry and raises funds though the foundation, seeks to guide every patient though the transplant journey.  Be The Match and The National Donor Program:

• Spearheads the donor search and matching process
• Provides resources to support patients both before and after transplant
• Provides medical education for referring physicians and transplant centers
• Conduct, support and share research to advance the science of transplantation

 Thank you for taking the time to read this.  If you have questions or would like more information please visit www.marrow.org 

Holiday Health Tips

Posted in: Blog by chirocare on December 10, 2010

It happened.

Winter is here.

It’s cold outside!

And if it’s cold outside your joints and muscles might feel it.

 In the cold our muscles and blood vessels contract to conserve body temperature. This means less blood supply to extremities. Then, both the weather and the holiday schedule contributes sabotage our exercise routines. So here are some ideas to keep you moving.  

1. Take a walking look at the lights in your neighborhood. If you have a dog, take him of her along.
2. Don’t worry about getting the “good” parking spot at the mall, intentionally take the one further away.
3. And that escalator or elevator – who needs ‘em?
4. If it snows, make shoveling exercise not chore. Use both sides of your body, bend with your knees, don’t twist your spine and watch your balance.
5. And posture – posture – posture. Don’t overload one side of your body with all of your packages – and sitting slouched on the floor wrapping or receiving presents.
6. Be good to yourself! The season is sometimes stressful. So eat clean, drink plenty of water, stretch, and slow down when you can to enjoy the season.  

 And how about a massage or two? Stress relief? You betcha.

Right now you can get gift certificates for an hour massage for just $50.

And one more thing.

We want to help others this season.

Will you help us?

We’re hosting a Toy Drive for Friends of Kids with Cancer.

Would you consider dropping off a New Unwrapped Toy for Both Girls and Boys of All Ages (no stuffed animals please).

 We will be gathering these toys and bring them to the Friends of Kids with Cancer Center on December 20^th.

 If you give, as our thank you to you, we’ll give you $10 off of your next massage – including Holiday gift certificates.

 We hope you have a spectacular Holiday Season!

Gift Certificates on Sale

Posted in: Blog by chirocare on December 7, 2010

In December, One-Hour Massage Gift Certificates are only $50.  Is there anyone on your list who whould like a Massage for a Chirstmas present?  Give the gift of relaxation this Holiday season and get a Massage Gift Certificate for you Mom, boss or babysitter.  Come by the office, Monday – Friday, to pick it up!  Have a very Merry Christmas.