SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West Health Services is issuing a special request to the community to consider becoming a bone marrow donor by registering with the National Marrow Donor Program. A donation drive will be held Saturday, Aug. 16 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Medical Plaza South meeting room 1202 on the Regional West campus.

“This drive is especially close to our hearts as one of our well known providers has been diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and is prepping for a bone marrow transplant,” said Todd Sorensen, MD, President of Regional West Health Services. “Dr. Pete Johnson is currently in Denver receiving chemotherapy and hoping to find a match.”

Enrollment to the donor registry includes obtaining a cheek swab, health history, and consent. Potential donors need to be between the ages of 18 and 44 and be in good health as well as meet certain weight guidelines. Weight and medical guidelines can be found on the bethematch.org website under the “Join” tab. During enrollment you will need to provide your social security number and driver’s license number as well as list a primary and secondary contact person. If you are currently on the National Marrow Donor Program registry you don’t need to re-enroll at this event.

If chosen to be a bone marrow donor for someone in need, you may be asked to go to a center to attend appointments and have stem cells harvested (at no cost to the donor). This usually takes a 30- to 40-hour time commitment over several weeks; a small price to pay for saving a life.

The usual initial charge to do the testing is $100. People who wish to become a part of the donor registry on Aug. 16 will not be asked to pay this fee. Hopefully those who are unable to be a part of the donor registry, because of age or other health issues, will consider making a monetary donation to help cover the cost so that as many people can be enrolled in the registry as possible.

“Dr. Pete has practiced here for his entire career and is one of the most respected, caring, and loved persons in our community. He has been a tireless worker for his patients, medical education, CAPWN, and the betterment of our health care system and community,” said Vince Bjorling, MD, Regional West Physicians Clinic-Internal Medicine. “We may not find a match for Dr. Pete in our community, but hopefully somewhere in the world, others are being tested in honor of someone important in their life, and this is how matches occur. Commitment to the NBMR (National Marrow Donor Program) as a donor may potentially lead to a match and help save a life somewhere else in the world, which too would honor Dr. Pete.”

To learn more about “Be the Match,” go to bethematch.org. If you have any questions, please call 308-632-6129.

Regional West Health Services, Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company for Regional West Medical Center, Regional West Physicians Clinic and Regional West Garden County. These organizations, with over 1,900 employees, provide comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, the Regional West family of health care organizations offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties.