Virgie Townsend was devastated when she discovered that her 20-year old son, Martin, was diagnosed with biphenotypic leukemia, a rare form of the disease, last March.
“It’s a complete shock,” she said. “It’s like a bomb that just knocks you straight off your feet.”
Martin Townsend, a former student at the University of Alabama, was preparing for a degree in biology when he discovered his illness.
“Having to leave school and start therapy felt as if my entire world was being swept from under me,” he said. “Receiving a diagnosis of leukemia when I was expecting something flu-like left me stunned. To be honest, I didn’t understand what it all meant until months into therapy. I just looked forward to the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.”
According to the National Marrow Donor Program, many patients with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and other life-threatening illnesses must rely on bone marrow transplants from donors who are a genetic match as an only hope of survival.
Statistics from the NMDP show that around 30 percent of patients with lymphoma or leukemia can find a donor through familial relations. However, more than 10,000 patients a year in the United States, like Martin, must wait for unrelated donors, and only half of these patients receive a transplant in time.
The Be The Match Foundation, an extension of the NMDP, raises awareness and funds to accumulate donors for the bone marrow registry, which costs $100 per donor. Be The Match hosts bone marrow drives where potential donors fill out forms and consent to a cheek swab to join the registry.
“These bone marrow drives give people an opportunity to save a life,” said Rachel Harris, the NMDP account executive for Alabama. “Many people use our registry often as their only hope for a cure.”
Be The Match has partnered with the University of Alabama Public Relations Student Society of America to publicize bone marrow drives on campus, targeting student donors.
“The best donors are between the ages of 18 and 44,” Harris said. “Younger, healthier cells work better in marrow transplants, so college campuses are great places to find donors.”
However, leaders of the drives have noticed that many people are uneducated about the updated donation process.
“There are major exaggerations about giving bone marrow,” Melissa Stewart, UA PRSSA fundraiser committee leader, said. “There are two ways you can donate. The most common is a PBSC donation, which is nonsurgical and outpatient. Typically, you would be back to your regular life in 1-2 days.
“About 24 percent of the time, donors actually have to give bone marrow, which does require surgery. However, people who undergo this procedure are usually back to their normal activities within 1-7 days.”
The organization is hosting drives today in the Ferguson Plaza and Reese Phifer hall with hopes of adding 300 new donors to the registry and potentially saving more lives. Be The Match estimates that 66 to 93 percent of patients can find a willing donor through their registry, with minorities having a decreased likelihood.
“Be The Match has encouraged us by setting up drives and giving us an opportunity to find a possible match,” Virgie Townsend said. “It’s like we got slapped in the face, knocked off of our feet and now have to get up again.
“Some people may not share my faith, but I always tell Martin, ‘God gave you a purpose in life, and your purpose isn’t fulfilled yet.’ There have been tough moments, but you have to hope. God’s going to get us through this one way or another.”
