RAF Lakenheath seeks registers for Bone Marrow Drive

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stacy Sanchez
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  As of 2009, there are more than 500 people within the Department of Defense that are sick with disorders such as leukemia who need life-saving bone marrow transplants. 

To help try and decrease these numbers, RAF Lakenheath is hosting a Bone Marrow Registration Drive Feb. 23 to 27. The drive is open to all United States military members, DoD civilians, DoD contractors as well as family members. 

"With the new registration, we no longer require a blood sample," said Master Sgt. Patrick Felan, 48th Fighter Wing bone marrow representative. "All that is required is a Q-tip oral swab and two pages of paperwork to complete. There are very few disqualifiers." 

Sergeant Felan said individuals can register even if they have been stationed overseas in the United Kingdom or Gulf area, had a recent tattoo or received any immunizations. However, people may be ineligible if they have HIV, Hepatitis C or Cancer. 

"We also have permission to register local nationals," Sergeant Felan said. "If you have registered in the past; specifically if the registration was more than five years ago, we encourage you to register under the new system." 

If an individual is matched and are called to be a donor, they will be sent to Washington D.C., accompanied by their spouse or another family member or friend, all expenses paid. 

"Bone marrow extraction has changed," Sergeant Felan said. "It's now as easy as giving blood. Those selected for donation will be given injections of a drug called Filgrastim or Neupogen four to five days before the donation date. This drug will stimulate the production of the bone marrow stem cells within their blood stream. 

During the bone marrow stem cell donation, a machine will collect blood stem cells through a process called aphaeresis, said Cindy Campbell DoD Bone Marrow Donor Drive coordinator. Blood is then drawn from an arm and run through a machine that filters out the blood stem cells. Blood will then be returned into the body through the other arm. The process is usually repeated two to four times during the donation week. 

"The process is free, basically low threat and overall, provides a second chance to many people who otherwise would not be afforded one," Sergeant Felan said. "Your involvement is crucial. Remember, for every 300 personnel registered at least one will be identified to be a potential donor, and ultimately will go one to save a life. Is this donor you?" 

For more information about bone marrow donations, visit http://www.dodmarrow.org/. 

The following are bone marrow unit representatives for the base: 

Master Sgt. Patrick Felan, 48th Fighter Wing 

Master Sgt. Arnold Spencer, 48th Fighter Wing 

Master Sgt. Jason McCollister, 48th Maintenance Group 

Senior Master Sgt. Timothy Jones, 48th Maintenance Group 

Master Sgt. Chris Egbert, 372nd Training Squadron 

Mrs. Pam Parker, Department of Defense Schools 

Master Sgt. James Fowler, 48th Mission Support Group 

Maj. Keye Latimer, 48th Medical Group 

Staff Sgt. Shaneen Pearson, 48th Operations Group