Last month, a few friends and I hosted a Bone Marrow Typing Drive at Wat Buddhajak Temple in Escondido.  The purpose of the drive was to help find a match for Nina Polvanich Louie, a young Asian American mother, who had at the time only about two months left to find a bone marrow match (now she has about one month left).

I don’t know Nina or her family personally.  I first heard about Nina through Facebook.  Then, I did a search about her on Google, and that’s how I learned about her story.  I told my friends, who are members of the Thai temple, about Nina’s story and thanks to them we were able to host a donor drive right away.  We were able to get 33 people to take a cheek swap and register to be a donor.  So far, Nina has not found her match yet and I’m continuing to pray for her and her family.

Every story has a lesson.  Here is what I learned from hosting the Bone Marrow Typing Drive:

1. I learned that the word “bone marrow” freaked people out. I was asked by one of my co-workers if I was serious about donating my bone marrow. He even asked if I should be concerned about how painful the process is and what I would do if it was a malpractice or a freak accident happens to me during the operation. My answers were “yes” and “yes”. Who does not! But I am a positive soul who rather thinks positive. Think about it… Nina, who has been receiving overwhelming support nationally and internationally, has not found her match yet and one month of extensive searching has passed.  Should you feel blessed if you are able to make a miracle happen?

2. I learned that getting tested for bone marrow donation is extremely easy. All you need is a good heart, good health, and a cheek swap! Well, there are also other criteria, and you can find out about that HERE.

3. I learned that only 2 percent of Americans are registered to be a donors and less than 10 percent of the donors are Asian Americans.

4. I learned that social media is an amazing too for spreading the word. I have seen it again and again how a non-profit (cause) is successful in raising public awareness through social media.

Lastly, if you have not done so, you can help Nina or other people who are in need of finding a match by getting typed. You can do so by ordering a free home typing kit, by getting typed in person at a local drive, or by going to a recruitment center across the US or Internationally. The most important thing is to help her spread the word!

Be sure to check out Save Nina Facebook and www.savenina.com for more information about Nina Polvanich Louie. You will see how her online campaign has gone viral and now reached out to many people, not only in the U.S., but also in Thailand, China, and a few other countries as well.