"I urge City of Middleton residents to consider joining the National Marrow Donor Program Registry,” said Middleton Mayor Kurt Sonnentag. “It's simple to do and a preliminary step to giving the gift of life to someone in critical need. It's also a great way for 'Good Neighbor City' residents to help others.”

On November 20, 2008 from 9am-4pm, the Marriott Madison West is supporting the effort to recruit marrow donors from the Madison area. The Marriott Madison West is located at 1313 John Q Hammons Drive, Middleton, Wisconsin.

“The Middleton Chamber of Commerce fully supports the National Marrow Donor Program. The opportunity to change or save a life doesn't come along every day but the NMDP Registry provides our community an opportunity to do just that,” said Middleton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Van Nutt. “It takes so little time to sign up for the Registry; we hope the entire Middleton community will consider participating on November 20th.”

Every day, thousands of patients who need a life-saving transplant search for a donor. Only 30 percent will find a suitable donor within their family. The remaining 70 percent must find an unrelated donor whose tissue type matches theirs.

Those between the ages of 18-60 years of age that are in good health may become potential donors. Simply complete the registry application at the donor drive and have 4 cotton swabs collect cheek cells so your tissue type can be tested. That’s it! Your tissue type is then added to the Registry.

Donors with diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds are especially needed to join the registry.

This invitation is remarkable in that THIS drive allows potential marrow donors the ability to join the Registry FREE of charge. The usual cost of joining is $53.00 per person.

When you become a marrow donor, you join the global movement of more than 10 million donors who stand ready to give the gift of life. Even with a Registry of millions, there are many patients waiting and hoping, unable to find a match. Please join us in giving these struggling patients the courage, hope and life they so desperately need.

“For many patients, you might be their only hope at living a long and meaningful life,” added Restoring Hope Transplant House Executive Director Cindy Herbst. “What better gift could you possibly give than the gift of life?”