I'm now on the Be the Match Marrow Registry by the NMDP

The Be the Match Registry is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). After swabbing my cheeks and submitting my DNA, I now have my own bone marrow donor identification card. I realize that there is a great need for bone marrow donors out there. I was inspired to join the registry because of the "Save Jodie Gee" group on Facebook. Perhaps you've heard of her. Jodie is a young woman who was very healthy until she discovered that she had aplastic anemia last November. She recently had a bone marrow transplant and it sounds like she's doing well. You can follow her story here on the Save Jodie Gee blog.

I know several other people who are currently in need of a bone marrow transplant. You probably too as well. If you're Asian, you can order a free kit from the www.AADP.org to be part of the national bone marrow registry. There is a significant need for donors from all ethnic groups. If you haven't joined the Be the Match Registry, perhaps you'll want to stop by a bone marrow drive or simply order a kit so that you can save a life.

How much is a kidney worth? $20,000 on the black market.

Wow, this is quite an interesting story. In this story, CNN is reporting that one kidney donor responded to a black market ad and received $20,000 for donating a kidney for organ transplantation. According to the editor's note: Since the FBI arrested a Brooklyn businessman in late July on federal charges of organ trafficking, CNN has been conducting a worldwide investigation into the sale of kidneys using willing donors and willing recipients from China to Israel to the United States.

Nick Rosen has made his story public by creating a documentary film called "Kidney Beans." Sounds like a very fascinating tale. When I stop to think about all the corruption that's in the world, I'm surprised that we're not hearing more stories of involuntary donation of organs - where people are literally forced to donate their organs. I've heard of rumors that prisoners in China are often forced to donate their organs (I have no idea of this is true, so I'm not trying to spread rumors). I wonder how many unreported organ transplants occur in other countries. If Israel is really leading the world in organ trafficking, I wonder which countries are second and third. My guess would be countries where human rights laws are not heavily enforced.

I know several people who have donated kidneys. It's very noble and I respect them highly for their sacrifice. It's such a shame to think that some are doing it for cash (and that others may be forced into it).