Bone Marrow Drive Tomorrow in Loker

Harvard students will be offered a unique chance to save lives through the Harvard-Radcliffe bone marrow drive, to be held tomorrow from 11 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Green Room of Loker Commons.

Organized by the Harvard-Radcliffe Cancer Society, the drive will allow students to be added to the national bone marrow registry, after a simple blood test. The list identifies possible bone marrow transplants for patients suffering from leukemia.

According to Brendan. A Harley '00, co-director of the effort, leukemia patients suffer a loss of bone marrow when subjected to the heavy doses of radiation needed for treatment. Such patients can receive a transplant from family members of strangers but identifying donors with a correct genetic match can be difficult or even impossible.

"The bone marrow registry isn't complete," Harley said. "They don't have all of the genetic markers represented."

According to Harley, the problem is especially acute among minority groups.

"Many minority groups are under represented on the list, so the chances for finding a match are even lower," Harley said. "Everyone is encouraged to come, but minorities are especially encouraged to come because there's a greater need."

The test, which usually costs 55 dollars, is free to minorities through a program sponsored by the U.S. Navy. In addition, this year's drive has received private funds from Consolidated Electric Services, Novartis Pharmaceutical and Lucent Technologies to sponsor test for 30 to 40 non-minority donors.

"There are thousands of people who need a bond marrow transplant to survive," Harley said. "IT can save someone's life."