Kenbrook Elementary Hosts Oct. 16 Bone Marrow Donor Drive

A bone marrow donor drive will be held Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., at Kenbrook Elementary School in Farmington Hills.

Organizer Christine Roggow, a volunteer with Love Hope Strength, says registration involves a one-page form and a cheek swab. Adults age 18-55 are eligible, although some health restrictions apply.

"I'll have information about that at the drive," Roggow said. "I'll try to get people in and out as quickly as possible." 

Roggow has been involved with the rock-and-roll cancer foundation since a friend received bone marrow from an anonymous donor. She said the group usually hosts events at rock concerts but is branching out.

"I'll set up wherever I can get a group of people to listen," Roggow said. 

According to marrow.org, finding a life-saving donor match for a bone marrow transplant isn't as easy as just matching blood types:

"Doctors match donors to patients based on their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tissue type. HLA are proteins, or markers, found on most cells in your body ... A close HLA match between donor and patient is the most important matching factor."

For information about the Kenbrook drive, contact Roggow, cgroggow@gmail.com. The school is located at 32130 Bonnet Hill Road.