Bone Marrow Drive Wednesday Aims to Register 100

The Palo Alto police and fire departments have a goal to add 100 new potential bone marrow donors to the national registry by hosting a marrow drive this week.    

The "Officers Give Hope" event will be Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of  and will be open to the general public.      

Anyone in good health from 18-60 years old is encouraged to participate. 

City employees and public safety personnel from neighboring jurisdictions will also be invited to sign up for the National Marrow Registry Program.      

Participants will be asked for a cheek swab and then entered into the national database of willing donors.

Those who sign up are essentially making a non-binding commitment to donate marrow if they someday become a match for someone in need. 

"A late decision to not donate can be life threatening to a patient," the registry advised. "Please think seriously about your commitment before joining the registry."

"Officers Give Hope" has added more than 11,000 donors to the national registry since it was founded in May 2000.      

For more information, contact the Palo Alto Police Department at 650-329-2413.

–Bay City News Service