The special event is being held in honor of Florence Allen.
(ALBANY, Ore.) - The Albany Fire Department is hosting a bone marrow drive on Tuesday, October 9th at Fire Station 11, which is located at 110 SE 6th Avenue. The hours of this special event are from 7:00 AM until 12:00 PM.
You must be between the ages of 18 to 60, meet the health guidelines, fill out a form, give a cheek cell swab, and be willing to donate to any patient in need.
The National Marrow Donor Program is sponsoring this drive and there is no charge, but they say your involvement can go a long way toward helping someone.
Patients are more likely to match donors of the same racial and ethnic heritage. More donors of all races and ethnicities are needed, organizer Wanda Ohmdahl of Albany Fire said.
Florence Allen is the wife of Training Chief Larry Allen and a celebrated member of the Albany Fire Department family. She was diagnosed with leukemia in June of this year and is currently undergoing treatment.
Bone Marrow FactsLeukemia accounts for one third of all children`s cancersBefore the 1950’s there was no effective chemotherapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia, and the procedure of a bone marrow transplant was not available until the 1970’s(MSU)The National Marrow Donor Program has facilitated more than 25,000 marrow or blood cell transplants for patients who do not have matching donors in their familiesOnly 30 percent of patients in need of a marrow or blood cell transplant find a matched donor in their family. The other 70 percent may turn to the NMDP to search for an unrelated donor or cord blood unitNational Marrow Donor Program
Albany Fire Sponsors Bone Marrow DriveSalem-News.com