Enroll in the National Marrow Donor Registry at Scott Clinic Published May 11, 2011 By Tyres R. Sturgis 375th Medical Group SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill -- The Scott Clinical Laboratory became a walk-in site Feb. 22 for all active duty military, eligible family members, Department of Defense civil service employees, Reservists and National Guard to enroll into the National Marrow Donor Registry. Each year there are 30,000 people diagnosed with leukemia or other fatal blood diseases. Some are successfully treated with conventional therapy, and others become candidates for a marrow transplant. Marrow types are hereditary, and the best chance for a patient's successful treatment is a related (relative) marrow donor. Unfortunately 70 percent of those 30,000 cannot find a matching donor and must find an unrelated donor through the national registry. The challenge is to increase awareness of this life-saving program and ultimately increase the national registry's donors. Increasing the number of donors reduces the time required to match a donor with a recipient. The mission in the clinical laboratory is to recruit and enroll DoD donors into the national registry and provide outstanding service to potential and actual donors. In addition, the donor program will promote equal and prompt access to DoD patients who are searching for an unrelated donor. Why Have a Military Marrow Donor Program? Most DoD personnel meet the donor program's age and health requirements and also add ethnic and racial diversity to the program. The advantages are the ability to quickly locate military personnel (potential donors) through military locators using a secure DoD system. Over 500 DoD members search for an unrelated donor each year. The program also provides contingency support to casualties of marrow toxic agents. Who is eligible? All personnel between the ages of 18-60 and in good health are eligible to register. For more information contact Ms. Sturgis at 256-7474, or stop by the Clinic Laboratory, Building 1530.