Giving blood or blood products, like platelets, may be the easiest way for you help a child with cancer – and it doesn’t cost you anything!
Registering to become a bone marrow donor can literally be the difference between life and death for someone with leukemia. All you have to do is answer some background questions and have a quick blood test. Also, if you are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor about donating the cord blood. Stem cell transplants really do save lives!
For information in Japan: http://www.jmdp.or.jp/
For information about registering to be a donor outside of Japan:
In the US: http://www.marrow.org/
In Australia: http://www.abmdr.org.au/
All countries: http://www.bmdw.org
http://www.bloodsaves.com
(Because of the risk transferring infection through blood or stem cells, people who have lived in/visited countries where incidences of “mad cow disease” have occurred may not be permitted to be donors in Japan. But please, please, register when you are in your home country!)