Blood drive, stem cell registry set for April 5
Local man in need of transplant to combat Non-Hodgin's Lymphoma, a type of cancer.

Too many times we hear about a friend, co-worker or loved one who has some type of cancer and want to help. There are ways one can do some good, depending on the type of cancer and the diagnosis of the person you are hoping to help.

One thing you can do to help a person diagnosed with cancer is donate blood. Eighty percent of those who think they can't give blood, can. If you're anemic or diabetic you can possibly still give blood.

Another way to help is to sign up for the National Marrow/ Stem Cell Donor Registry. You can help out someone in need of a marrow or stem cell transplant with your donation.

Patients like Dwight Holub, who has Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, could benefit from such a donation.

Holub, a native of El Campo and a farmer for 37 years, is currently undergoing chemotherapy and is in need of a blood stem cell transplant. A blood drive/marrow-stem cell donor registry drive will be held Saturday, April 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Commercial State Bank's Gold Room in El Campo.

Patients diagnosed with leukemia, lymphomas or other blood cancers make up approximately 85 percent of transplants facilitated by the National Marrow/Stem Cell Donor Program. The remaining patients undergo transplants to treat a variety of immune system and inherited disorders.

The National Marrow/Stem Cell Donor Registry is a database to help find a "match" for a marrow or stem cell transplant. A person of any race, ethnicity or gender who is 18 to 60 (up until their 61st birthday) years old and who meets donation health guidelines can become a volunteer potential marrow or blood stem cell donor.

Signing up for The National Marrow/Stem Cell Donor Registry is easy. A simple procedure of swabbing the inside of your cheeks and filling out a brief health questionnaire is required.

"It is painless and could help save someone's life," said Lori Janak, daughter of Dwight and Janet Holub. "It is important to note that you are not committing to anything by signing up for the registry. If your profile matches someone in need, then you'll receive a call. When contacted you can decide to donate or not, as there is absolutely no obligation. We all know that life and health circumstances can easily change in one's life."

There is a need for more potential donors, especially from diverse populations. Because tissue types are inherited in the same way as hair or eye color, a patient's best chance of finding a match is a brother or sister. Only 30 percent of patients have a suitably matched donor in their family. The next best chance of finding a match is between people who share a similar racial and ethnic background.

For more information or to set up an appointment, call Lori Janak at 979-848-8545 or visit www.giveblood.org and select "Make an Appointment." Then, make a selection from the choices given, fill out the information and click on "submit" and enter sponsor code "Holub" at the top. Click on location and select a time.

"You can help out someone in need of a marrow or stem cell transplant with your donation," said Holub.

Please eat a hearty meal and drink plenty of fluids, preferably water, prior to donation and continue to do so throughout the day. Remember to bring an I.D. For eligibility questions, call Medical Services at (713) 791-6612 or via e-mail at medops@giveblood.org.

A portion of the information was provided by the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center- www. giveblood.org.