Bone marrow registry can help save lives

Bone marrow donations play an important role in treating individuals with various illnesses. People with leukemia, lymphoma or sickle cell anemia, among other diseases, may need these donations as they seek healing and relevant treatment options.

If you know a person who has battled similar ailments, you may know the struggle and how bone marrow donations can help.

The Southeast Student Nurses Association will sponsor a bone marrow registry drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday on the third floor of Crisp Hall of Nursing, according to a Southeast Missouri State University news release.

This registry is in honor of Valerie Watters-Burke, a nurse who lived and worked locally and is now waiting for a stem-cell transplant. She was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. If you are between 18 and 44 years old, you are welcome to donate.

Financial support also helps. You can donate online at bethematchfoundation.org/go to/SEMO.

To learn more, contact Desma Reno, Southeast assistant professor of nursing, at dreno@semo.edu or Be The Match at dmosley@nmdp.org or call 314-348-5650.

Thank you to the organizers. Participating in the bone marrow registry is a good deed that can make a life-changing difference. We encourage you to consider how you may support this cause.