Bone Marrow Donation in Brasil

Currently there is a search underway for a bone marrow donor for Rosina. The first place that they look is the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), which includes the Untied States and many European countries. The initial quick search of the NMDP did not turn up a donor. There are other ways that they can look through this registry, but the search is becoming more world wide. This of course will include Brasil. Currently in Brasil , there is a major push to increase the registry. IF YOU ARE IN BRASIL, the organization is called REDOME (Registro Brasileiro de Doadores de Medula Óssea) and is part of INCA, the natinal cancer institute. I am putting a link on the right that will direct you to their web site. They have information (in portuguese) about donor locations and so on all over Brasil.
Being a match is related to tissue type which is strongly related to your ethnicity. Rosina's parents were both Brazilian. Her mother's parents were Italian, and her father's side was Portuguese and Austrian. It's a pretty Brazilian mix. if you are so inclined, we encourage you to get on the registry. You could possibly help Rosina and if not her, someone else in a similar situation.
**update/correction from Rosina:
" Just a little detail: My father side, as far as I know, is all portuguese (maybe some spanish trace way back when in Europe). My mother side is a mix from italians from Naples (the Savastanos) and from Torin (the Minaris) that have some Austrian blood (I think my great grandfather was Austrian). It's not a big deal, but that's how the "muttnicity" goes."

If you are Brazilian and in the United States, the NMDP is still better for Rosina (see post below). Of course, you can do both, but you have to be in Brasil to register with REDOME.

Rosina's white blood cell count has been very steady, and low - 0.6, 0.7, 0.7, 0.7 (normal is 4-10) but today it took an upswing to 1.1. The doctor says this is typical, it hangs out for a while and then starts to rise. So that's good news. She will be able to go home when it gets better. Our friend Rogerio emailed this drawing after visting last night. It includes him, Andrea, John & Bella (newly relocated from Paris), me, and Rosina of course. Obrigado, Roge!

I'm not at home, so I have to wait to add pictures to the post!

Thank you everyone for all the good spirits, pictures, food and everything!
xo ph