Bone marrow donor registry drive planned

The diagnosis of local physician Dr. Waklee Bledsoe with leukemia, has prompted toe launch of a bone marrow donor registry drive in Mountain Home.

More than 10,000 patients in the United States are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases such as leukemia or lymphoma, which can sometimes be cured with a bone marrow transplant.

The last donor registration drive in the area was held in Boise in August of 2008. "Many donors joined the registry thanks to the generous support of community-minded people that paid the tissue-typing fee of $52 per person," said Michelle Yalch. who is helping launch the drive. "Without funding support, the cost to join the registry may be prohibitive for many people who otherwise would willingly volunteer. Each day patients worldwide benefit from the kindness of strangers. Be The Match Idaho is asking for help.

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