Bone Marrow Donations Skyrocket - ABC6 - Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather

Bone Marrow Donations Skyrocket

In the days following Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts' announcement that she needs a bone marrow transplant to save her life, bone marrow donations are sky rocketing.

     Denise Caron of providence was diagnosed with cancer last month. This cancer I feel as more life threatening, " explains Caron. She's no stranger to the battle. In 2010, she fought uterine cancer. She says the treatment for that is what ultimately caused the blood cancer she's fighting now. "In order to survive I need a bone marrow transplant, " says Caron.

     Her story is similar to that of Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts who on Monday announced she too was battling a rare blood disorder brought on by her breast cancer treatments 5 years ago. Just like Roberts, Denise luckily has a shot at surviving. She has a blood donor match, but she says it's not so easy for other people like her.

     The good news is the call for donors is being heard. Since monday, nearly 4-thousand people have signed up to be a blood marrow donor on the national site..."Be the Match Registry". Denise is hoping even more people will step forward to help save a life. "Whether you are donating blood marrow or blood it's so so necessary for saving people's lives, "adds Caron.
    
     If you would like to see if you are a match, contact the Rhode Island branch of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at 401-943-8888.