Bone Marrow

Next weekend offers two opportunities for Vineyarders to test their ability to donate bone marrow, in the Save Giovanni’s Friends Bone Marrow Drive.

A simple cheek swab procedure will be performed by Caitlin Raymond International Registry. According to state law, your health insurance must pay the donor fee, and if you don’t have health insurance, it’s free.

The bone marrow drive will be at Katharine Cornell Theatre on Spring street in Vineyard Haven on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 7, fro 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the drive will be at the Vineyard Artisans’ Festival at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury.

Bone marrow donations can help children survive life-threatening diseases such as genetic immune disorder, leukemia and lymphoma. To be tested for your ability to donate, you must be 18 to 60 years old and in good health (age 16 and 17 with parental consent).