Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) held a bone marrow drive March 10 -14 at Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

According to Chief Electronics Technician Rodney Yager, COMSUBPAC staff bone marrow drive coordinator, the COMSUBPAC drive is just one of many happening around Naval Station and the Navy to compile personnel volunteers for the national donor registry.

"There are more than 500 people in the Department of Defense, family members and active duty, who are sick with disorders such as leukemia that need life-saving bone marrow transplants," said Lt. Cmdr. Cindy Campbell, DOD Bone Marrow Donor Drive Coordinator.

Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet leadership enforced the DOD's stance on the bone marrow donation issue and many joined the donor program registry themselves.

"If anyone's not convinced this is important all they have to do is think 'that could be my child'," said Capt. Bob Schuetz, COMSUBPAC Chief of Staff. "I can't think of a better or easier way to make a real difference in helping others in great need."

Over the course of the drive, more than 400 military service members, DOD civilians and family members from across Pearl Harbor's submarine community have participated in the drive and the procedure for donating a sample is much simpler than in the past.

"To provide a test the process is very simple," explained Yager. "All it takes is to fill out a form, which takes about five or ten minutes. Then to take four cotton swabs, wipe the inside of your cheeks and put them in an envelope. I take care of the rest."

If a person is a match, they and a companion are sent on a five-day trip to Washington, D.C., for the donation process. Yager mentioned if you've recently been refused as a blood donor, taken anti-malaria medication or even had a recent tattoo you can still register. The National Marrow Donor Program emphasizes that donating is completely voluntary and you have the right to change your mind about being a donor at any time.

"There aren't many reasons they will turn donors away, typically if a person is a match," he said. "They will have about a

6-12 month timeframe to let everything settle in before donating. It's so easy and you could save someone's life. "