Bone Marrow for Joey: In this video, Joey Tyquiengco, 40, a former Guam resident asks for support from local residents in his search for matching bone marrow. Written by Meryl Dillman Pacific Daily News
Dr. Thomas Shieh, left, gets a helping hand from United employees after receiving a shipment of bone marrow test kits and supplies at the A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport's cargo facility in Tiyan, yesterday. United provided the transportation of the kits, free of charge as a community service, from Hawaii to Guam, said Quentin Koch, United director of sales, Guam and Micronesia. / Rick Cruz/Pacific Daily News/rmcruz@guampdn.com

IF YOU GO

A bone marrow drive will be held at Guam Premier Outlets from Friday through Sunday.

The times are below:

•Friday from 1 to 6 p.m.

•Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

•Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you want to help with the drive, please contact Dr. Thomas Shieh at doctorshieh@yahoo.com or by pager at 635-8360.

Dr. Shieh, president of the Guam Medical Association

MYTHS AND FACTS

Myths and facts about bone marrow donation:

•Myth: All bone marrow donations involve surgery.

•Fact: The majority of donations do not involve surgery. Today, the patient's doctor most often requests a peripheral blood stem cell donation, which is non-surgical. The second way of donating is marrow donation, which is a surgical procedure. In each case, donors typically go home the same day they donate.

•Myth: Donating is painful and involves a long recovery.

•Fact: There can be uncomfortable but short-lived side effects of peripheral blood stem cell donation. Due to taking a drug called filgrastim for five days leading up to donation, peripheral blood stem cell donors may have headaches, joint or muscle aches, or fatigue. Donors are typically back to their normal routine in one to two days. Those donating marrow receive general or regional anesthesia, so they feel no pain during donation. Marrow donors can expect to feel some soreness in their lower back for one to two weeks afterward. Most marrow donors are back to their normal activities in two to seven days.

•Myth: Donating is dangerous and weakens the donor.

•Fact: Though no medical procedure is without risk, there are rarely any long-term side effects. Be The Match carefully prescreens all donors to ensure they are healthy and the procedure is safe for them. We also provide support and information every step of the way.

Because only 5 percent or less of a donor's marrow is needed to save the patient's life, the donor's immune system stays strong and the cells replace themselves within four to six weeks.

•For more myths and facts, and more information about bone marrow donation, visit http://www.bethematch.org. Be The Match Registry is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program.

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Marrow donors wanted: Bone marrow drive to begin Friday

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