This year's two-week Be The Match Marrowthon successfully registered over 21000 people in the United States - all for free!

US donors are usually asked to pay about $52 as a full price. Actually it costs a total of $100 to register each donor, it's just that part is funded by the registry.

However, there are ways to register for very little or for free every day.

• In the Canada, the UK, and many other countries, registration is always free.

• If you are in an ethnic group that is difficult to find matches for, go to a donor center and see if they have funds to cover your registration. They understand the extreme level of difficulty finding a donor match and the severe shortages within certain ethnic groups.
  

• Go to a bone marrow drive. Often you can register for free, but if not some of the cost will be covered by advance fundraising, and at-drive donations.
  • In NH, MA, CT, and RI, register with the CRIR for free by showing your insurance card.
  • Be The Match Bone marrow drives by state
  • DKMS bone marrow drives
• Complete an online donor form and request a free cheek swab kit from DKMS Americas that will be sent directly to your home.

• Be on the lookout for promotional codes being advertised for patients. These promotions are paid for by the patient, friends and family for a certain amount of people to register for free. Usually this person is in a difficult group to match. If you find a code, please be respectful, and only use it if you are in a same or similar ethnic group.
  

• In some areas, you can donate platelets twice to offset the cost of becoming a bone marrow donor. Inquire with your local blood donor centre.

Please keep in mind that even if you pay nothing, it still costs a lot for profile typing. If you aren't eligible, or have the extra funds, consider making a donation to the registry. You may help register someone who saves someone else's life but didn't have the money.

Photo courtesy of Save A Life Network

Labels: Be The Match, bone marrow drives, CRIR, free registration, NMDP, online registration