"You could be the one to save a life by registering as a potential donor!" At this time, I want to tell with the Yelp community about the urgent call for potential marrow / stem cell donors. The Asian American Donor Program (AADP*) is a non-profit organization that holds local community donor registration drives throughout the Bay Area. Today, I would encourage everyone to register (Asian or not) and hopefully become a miracle to an individual who is diagnosed with leukemia, aplastic anemia, and other life threatening blood disorders. A marrow/stem cell transplant is the only chance for long-term survival for these special patients. Here's my review and inspiration to get involved: In April 2008, Donna P posted a talk thread about Khanh Vo - a young man that is diagnosed with gamma/delta t-cell lymphoproliferative disorder; a form of lymphoma that is extremely fatal and rare. (http://www.yelp.com/topic/san-jose-you-could-possibly-save-a-life). I was intrigued by the message and made time on April 19, 2008 to participate in the bone marrow drive at my local Starbucks (Captial & McKee Road). Upon my visit, I was able to register and complete the cheek swab sample. Surprisingly I was able to see Khanh Vo but not able to meet him personally. At that moment, I was reminded of the days in 2006 when I visited the ICU's for cancer patients and treatment centers. Being among these patients is a big wake up call and reality check. Although I'm not a doctor or scientist, I knew I had to do something for the future. And just recently, Ms. Supbaby L posted a talk thread about Project Michelle (http://www.yelp.com/topic/san-jose-speaking-of-saving-lives) - 26 year old woman who is battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia (a cancer of the blood). I wasn't sure if the bone marrow drive was related to Khanh Vo's drive so I decided to visit anyway and inquire at the Club One Silver Creek. Sure enough it was the Asian American Donor Program drive. I meet with the volunteers and representatives and discovered that I was already registered. The registration process (simple three steps): 1. Log on to www.aadp.org and find a local drive near you (dates, location, and times vary). 2. Complete the registry forms and questionnaire. 3. Provide a cheek swab sample (this sample will be used to determine your tissue type). AADP will contact potential matches and move forward to donating procedures. Today, I'm proud to say I'm a registered donor. If my sample matches, I would be honored to participate and hopefully give someone a fighting chance. I lost my mother to cancer two years ago. So I truly know the battle ahead against cancer and the passion to find a cure. * AADP is in part of the National Marrow Donor Program (marrow.org) read more

Asian American Donor Program - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Alameda, California

As you can probably tell...I'm not Asian, not even a drop. I wished I was back in April though, because that would have meant a MUCH higher likelihood of me being a donor match for Khanh (since donors often come from the same ethnic background as the patient). However, as we know all too well: cancer doesn't discriminate. So whether you're, as Will Smith so eloquently puts it, "Spanish, Haitian, Indian, Jamaican---Black, White, Cuban or Asian"--look into being a donor. You never know whose life you might help to save. *And for those of you who are freaked out by blood tests, etc, never fear! There is no blood involved...at least not initially; they just scrape the inside of your cheek with a cotton swab thingy. read more

UPDATE!!!! Bone Marrow Drive - SF June 14 http://www.yelp.com/events/san-francisco-in-n-out-the-drive-to-increase-asian-american-registered-bone-marrow-donors If you are waiting for a kit from AADP, please go to the drive in person. They are behind by 700 mail kits!! Thanks!!! ------------------------------------------------------------- Register to be a Bone Marrow Donor: http://www.projectmichelle.com/registerinfo.html Facts about Bone Marrow Transplants: http://www.projectmichelle.com/bmtfacts.html I've sent for my registration kit! http://www.aadp.org/pages/register.php *fyi - home registration kits from aadp.org are free for anyone of all or part ethnic minority descent (all or part Asian and Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, African American/Black or Native American/Alaska Native) Otherwise, you can register at: http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Join_the_Donor_Registry/Join_Now/join_now.html ========================================= I hate what I've become. What happened to me? I've become one of those people who sees things happen and doesn't do anything about it. I've seen the AADP table at multiple events and have never stopped to register. I was reading Michelle's story about 2 weeks ago, and I knew that the least I could do was to register to be a bone marrow donor. Here I am complaining about the most insignificant things, and there are so many people going through grueling treatments. Something so simple could save a life... Like Donna P said.. Cancer doesn't discriminate. Race, sex, age -- It knows no borders. Spread the word... ! read more

AADP.org does GREAT work. We have worked with them for the past year to advocate cancer awareness and have booked them for several of our events and drives for the ethnic community--especially in efforts to find Khanh Vo and Michelle Maykin a matching donor. We will continue to work with them. projectkhanh.com projectmichelle.com read more

AADP is such a wonderful organization. When we found out a close friend of mine had AML (leukemia). We really had no idea which steps to take afterward. But AADP came in and helped us proceed with support via fliers, blogs, social networking sites promoting of bone marrow drives where they are physically there to help and advise for long grueling hours. Not only do they help, but they pretty much handle the whole shebang, from tents to chairs, to kits, you name it, they got it covered. They stay focused on the person(s) they are out to help, NEVER leaving us (close friends and family) in the dark. Although I still don't know whether or not my friend will get through this successfully, I do know that through their hard work and great communication skills, his chances have improved. Thank you so much AADP! Especially Ruby, James, Donna and Nittu. You guys are doing such admirable work, we're forever grateful to you. read more

I first heard about AADP because my husband's beautiful and awesome friend had relapsed and was in need of finding a bone marrow donor. My husband and I decided to set up a drive and AADP helped organize and guide us through the process. They helped get the fliers ready and helped set up the tables the day of the event. And they always have a positive outlook even when people walked away from our table without registering and completing the donor kit. The people at AADP are truly wonderful and inspiring. read more

Why is there an Asian American Donor Program? Because there are fatal blood cancers that can be treated with bone marrow transplants or blood stem cell donations if the donor and the patient's bone marrow or stem cells are compatible, and having the donor and the patient of the same ethnicity dramatically increases the chances of compatibility. Therefore, Asian patients need Asian donors. In addition, patients who are half Asian need donors who are half Asian to maximize their chances of a match. Is it a hassle to register as a possible donor? Only if you think using a Q-Tip to swab the inside of your cheek is a hassle. Why should you register as a donor? Because the chances that any one person will be a compatible match for a patient are so miniscule, the more people sign up, the greater chance that one of those persons can be a match and save another person's life. It's a fabulous cause and they are doing a wonderful job. So if you're Asian American, all you have to do is sign up, get the inside of your cheek swabbed, and you can save someone's life. read more

I sent in my swabby kit thingy on Friday-- my DNA is now their bitch. In all seriousness, registering to be a donor is cool. I mean really cool. Unbelievably cool. Your marrow can save someone else's life and it's good for your karma. Nuff said. read more

This organization rocks! It is truly a labor of love. If your loved ones are ever in need, this group will be there to answer all the questions you don't even know to ask. You will get non-stop support from whoever coordinates your case. Whenever I have some extra funds, they go straight to this group. read more

AADP is a truly awesome nonprofit. I've been lucky enough to work closely with their team for the past 3 months, and am never short of amazed by all the hours, dedication and heart they put into their work. The support they've provided for Project Michelle (www.projectmichelle.com) is incredible. We could not have accomplished a fraction of what we've done so far without AADP by our sides. I love you guys, thank you! -- If you're Asian or other ethnic minority, please educate yourself and get registered! You have the power to save a life, possibly my best friend's: http://www.aadp.org read more

Everyone at AADP is amazing. They work tirelessly to help patients like me find bone marrow donors. This organization has so much heart and it's like a close knit family. They will help you set up and work a bone marrow drive even if you tell them last minute. I feel blessed that Project Michelle gets to work closely with this fantastic nonprofit. I heart AADP! read more

This organization is truly a gift. They save lives. Period. Our family will be eternally grateful for their work...

All I ever feel with this program is alot of love. Love is such a beautiful thing and if you want a load of it. They have it. Compassion and passion to help people...That's genuine love. Yes...love love love! read more

The people I've worked with from AADP are such nice and friendly people. I assisted in several bone marrow typing drives and they have always been there with signs, pointers, and sometimes even food! They are always on time and know exactly what to do, you couldn't ask for more! You can tell they truly care for the cause. read more

I signed up to be a donor a couple years ago, after hearing about a death of a friend who had lukemia and found no asian donor match. Curently they are in need of Asian donors. Knowing that you could save a life by signing up is worth it. You fill out a couple pages of forms and they swab your mouth, soooo simple. I urge people to sign up to be a potential owner, it probably takes like 5 minutes and you are on file until your like 60 (i think)! All of the staff is super friendly. I even won a raffle drawing after signing up and got my choice of any A's or Giant's game....so cool. Sign up please! :) read more

I've worked with AADP for over 3 years here as an undergraduate at Stanford. I must attest that they are a wonderful organization with wonderful people that are willing to help us along the way. They were well prepared with support and all appropriate materials. They were well learned and knew the material. And overall, their hearts and minds were set onto the goal of fighting leukemia and working hard to do that. That type of determination and compassion is what motivates us to work as hard beside them. It's the organization and its people that makes this work so meaningful. read more

AADP is a wonderful organization and they literally help save lives! You can visit their website (aadp.org) to learn how to be a bone marrow donor. It takes about 6 weeks for your results to be entered into the national bone marrow registry so PLEASE sign up today since there are so many people in dire need of a bone marrow transplant. Visit http://helpingtami.org/ to read more about Tami, who is one of thousands waiting to find a bone marrow match. read more