Joining the Be The Match
registry is incredibly simple and easy. All you need to do is visit their
website bethematch.org or attend a donor drive. You will be provided a kit to
swab your mouth and in under a minute your part is over and you have officially
joined the bone marrow registry. The joining process is SO easy that you may
find yourself wondering why I chose to dedicate an entire post to it.
I simply cannot continue any
longer with this blog until I share the reason behind my entire journey. This
cause is one that is hugely overlooked, and the few people that are informed
about it are greatly misinformed. I do not say this from a soapbox, but from a
place of humility. Selfishness is a human condition, and like most people, I
was quite comfortable living my life and felt good enough about myself for
being an occasional blood donor. All of
that changed when I met a very special young lady. I hope each and every one of
you reading this knows what it feels like to be inspired by someone, because it
is truly life changing.
My inspiration goes by the
name of Natalia. We met when we were in junior high, which as most of you know is
generally summarized by terms such as “self entitlement” and “hormones.”
Natalia instantly stood out to me because she was quite the contrary. Everything
about Natalia was genuine, done with humility, and purity of heart. Though we
lost touch over the years, I never let go of the person she was and how badly I
wanted to be that kind of person. Flash-forward to high school, a group of
students and I were hanging out at some outside tables of Sonic or Chik-fil-A.
I remember hearing beforehand that we were going to make cards for someone but
I never thought to inquire further until I was glancing over the card materials. “Who are we making these for?” I flippantly
asked, and the answer was not one I wanted to hear. No surely, not the same Natalia! Why her?
I instantly reconnected with
Natalia, and was not surprised in the least at her responses to my questions
and messages. Only sweet Natalia could fight for her life with such valiance,
grace, humility, and faith. Although cancer (AML) was the means in which God called
Natalia home, Natalia did more with her unfairly short life than most do with
100 years. Natalia was an angel that lived on earth, so I am sure her
transition to heaven was a rather easy one.
Before joining the registry,
take a moment to think about WHY. One visit to a children’s hospital will cross
your path with countless heroes and angels fighting battles you and I can’t
even fathom. Do not join because you feel socially pressured. Do not join for
karma points. Join because you’re inspired, because that inspiration will carry
you further than you could ever go on your own.
During
this phase of the journey, you will likely experience:
- Feelings of insignificance when you talk to your friends and family about joining the registry. Most of you don’t have personal experience with this cause. Some people may question why you are so passionate about it or wanting to do it in the first place. You must talk though, because when you find people that do support you it is invaluable.
- Other strong yet seemingly controversial emotions. You may be joyful, fearful, or saddened all at once when you get the call saying you are or are not someone’s match.
- You may feel like a pincushion. Before you are considered to be someone’s match, you will be asked to do blood tests. In my case, but not all, I had to do multiple blood tests during this process (confirmatory testing, physical protocol, pregnancy test, etc.)
- Impatience. You will be asked to embrace the military motto “hurry up and wait.” The more you invest in this, the stronger feelings you may have about not knowing. Expect this, and know that it is absolutely okay to have these feelings!
This is not simply signing up
to donate blood, though that is a wonderful thing to do. If asked to donate,
you are giving a part of yourself to someone. YOU are becoming someone’s only
option for life. WHY do you want to join?
In loving memory of Natalia who joined heaven's ranks on October 28th, 2009.
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