University of New England

UNE graduate students host bone marrow drive Feb. 11th
             
BIDDEFORD, Maine - Graduate students in the University of New England's master of marine sciences program are sponsoring a bone marrow donor drive and registration on Feb. 11, 2008, from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The drive will be located in the Campus Center's Multipurpose Room on the University of New England's Biddeford Campus, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, Maine. The drive is open the University community and the general public.

The event is in direct response to help physician assistant Nicole Nelson, a 34-year-old mother who is in critical need of a bone marrow transplant to survive her condition, severe aplastic anemia. Although Nelson did not attend UNE, UNE graduate students in the master of marine sciences program are aware of her situation and have chosen to honor her work and life by organizing this drive with hope that Nelson will receive the lifesaving treatment.

Since tissue type is inherited, Nelson's donor will most likely be of similar French, Native American Indian and Northern European backgrounds; however, donors from all backgrounds are needed. If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, willing to donate to any patient and meet the health guidelines, a simple mouth swab will provide the tissue typing needed for donor identification.

There is no charge for donor testing. The cost will be covered by the Rhode Island Blood Center (Michael's Fund), or by insurance (please bring an insurance card to the registration).

For more information contact: 

Nicole Rubeira
Recruiter, National Marrow Donor Program
Rhode Island Blood Center
Providence, RI 02908              
Phone: 401-248-5720 or 1-800-marrow2
E-mail: nrubeira@ribc.org

(Press release issued Feb. 5, 2007)