Saturday, December 3, 2011

And speaking of marrow donation-

Here is an article that ran in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette about donors being paid for their stem cell donation.

Court allows pay for most bone marrow donors

What are your thoughts on this-
Is it still a "donation" if there is compensation?
Will payment increase the number of individuals willing to donate?
Could this exclude lower income patients in need from getting the donor materials they need to survive?

Its incredible to me that this is happening just DAYS after my own notification that I may be a potential bone marrow donor match for a patient in need. It seems like such a no-brainer to me- MY body makes healthy cells, I can give some away and make more. Would I be any more likely to donate if there was compensation involved? Absolutely not. My mild inconvenience and temporary fear is NOTHING compared to whatever the person who needs my bone marrow is going through.

Tell me what you think about this, Im really curious! I want to hear your opinions!