(Photo courtesy of Fire Fighters with Matches)
Several area firefighters, working with the non-profit Firefighters With Matches (firefighterswithmatches.org), have put together a bone marrow match swab drive event, slated for September 21, from 3 to 7pm. They have organized this event because firefighters are regularly exposed to known carcinogens on the job and have an elevated risk for several major cancers, including blood cancers like leukemia. We are honoring and inspired by Tyler van Pelt, (the son of a retired Corvallis Fire Chief), who is awaiting a bone marrow match.
Area fire departments have agreed to spread the word to their eligible members to be swabbed and placed in the Be The Match donor registry (bethematch.org). Now we want to get the word out to the community, and we invite you to be a part of, perhaps, saving someone’s life.
Details:
What: A pain-free bone marrow swab drive: a little paperwork and swabbing the inside of the cheek to get some cells to test.
Who is eligible: Anyone ages 18-44, who passes a basic medical screening.
When: Monday, September 21, 3-7 PM
Where: Bend Fire Department Training Facility, 63377 Jamison St., just north of the Sheriff’s Complex, turn left at the fire station and proceed past it to the Training campus.
Redmond Fire Department Station 401, 341 NW Dogwood, Redmond
Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire, 301 Elm Street, Sisters
Why: You can help save a life!
Bend Fire Department
Mark Taylor mtaylor@bendoregon.gov 541-322-6316
James Schembri jschembri@bendoregon.gov 928-208-6545
Redmond Fire
Steve Pengra 541-815-2340
Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire
Damon Frutos 541-549-0771
