Bone marrow donor registration drive extended until June 5 Published May 29, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Woodward 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Who knew that a simple cheek swab could potentially prolong or save the life of someone? Previously, many people refrained from donating bone marrow because of the perceived pain associated with drilling into the hip bone. Now the procedure is less invasive, but there are still not enough potential donors. Team Scott is answering this call by hosting a four-day bone marrow drive, ending June 5. Many people think registering to be a potential donor includes giving blood. In reality, it consists only of a simple cheek swab and filling out forms. "The kit comes with four swabs, two for each cheek, and then there are about five minutes of questions," said Master Sgt. Leonard Arsenault, 375th Security Forces Squadron installation security NCOIC and a key worker for the drive. The goal for Scott is to register more than 4,000 people. Statistically, for every 300 people registered, one donor is matched for a marrow transplant, which can treat more than 70 potentially fatal diseases. If someone is matched, the transfusion is similar to having an IV in the arm. Currently, there are more than 500 people in the Department of Defense in need of bone marrow. However, the registry is not just for DoD members, it is international. "I know of someone who was matched and they ended up helping a child in India," said Sergeant Arsenault. "Who would have thought that they could be saving lives all the way in India?" There a few things that can limit eligibility, such as cancer and diabetes, but more people are eligible to give marrow than to donate blood. "I can't give blood because I was in Europe during Mad Cow disease, but I can give marrow," said Sergeant Arsenault. The drive also affects Sergeant Arsenault personally, as he lost his father to cancer. "People talk about drilling a hole in the bone which is partially correct, but when you think of the personal effects, I would not mind enduring the pain, even it were a drill in the hip," said Sergeant Arsenault. "I would rather suffer through some pain than watch a loved one suffer or lose them." Anyone interested in donating bone marrow should contact Captain Mobley at 229-3910, Sergeant Arsenault at 256-6000, Senior Master Sgt. Rodney Lindsey at 229-3632 or their unit representative. Sidebar: Each unit has a bone marrow drive representative who can assist anyone interested in becoming a potential marrow donor. Additional bone marrow donor registry information is listed below as available. 375th Contracting Squadron Bldg. 52, Contracting Bldg; Conference Room Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Airman 1st Class Ole Haug Air Mobility Command headquarters Maj. Linda Warhover 3rd Manpower Requirements Squadron Conference Room Today from 10 a.m. to noon Capt. Matthew Huibregtse 635th Supply Chain Management Group Base Exchange Today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Staff Sgt. Rachel Warning 635th Supply Chain Management Group Bldgs. 1515/1521/1900/4001 Today Master Sgt. Michael Brown 375th Security Forces Squadron Today Master Sgt. Leonard Arsenault 18th Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lisa McKethen 375th Civil Engineer Squadron Rebecca Dale U.S. Transportation Command Today Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Vanhooser 375th Communications Group Master Sgt. Lisa Bridges AMC A4 Bldg. 1600; A4 Conference Room; 2nd floor Today from 1-2 p.m. Master Sgt. Michael Felton Base Chapel Today from 7-8 a.m. Capt. Michael Carey 932nd Airlift Wing Master Sgt. John Sims Air Force Global Logistics Support Center Bldg. 1521, Break Room Today 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tech. Sgt. Katherine Aronin Shoppette Master Sgt. Jennifer Roman 375th Judge Advocate Office Master Sgt. Lisa Zrucky 375th Operations Support Squadron Today from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Senior Airman Joshua Stinar AMC staff Laurie Brown 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center Mark Bobzien