Wolverines For Life

🎪 Mark your calendars—Dog Days of Summer is almost here!

Get ready for an afternoon of carnival-style fun featuring games, prizes, face painting, a dunk tank, and more—all while connecting with incredible organizations that support our patients, families, staff, and community.

Meet representatives from organizations like Paws4Patients, Ronald McDonald House, American Red Cross Michigan Region, Humane Society of Huron Valley, NMDP, and many more. Learn about resources available to you and your patients while enjoying a little summer fun.

Best of all, proceeds from the event support Paws4Patients, helping provide the care and support our beloved facility dogs bring to Michigan Medicine every day.

Stay tuned for more details—we can't wait to see you there! 🐾☀️

🩸 If you're called to donate stem cells, what does donation actually look like?

There are two ways to donate blood stem cells, and NMDP will let you know which method is best for the patient.

🔹 Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) Donation (90% of donations)
• Nonsurgical outpatient procedure
• Similar to donating plasma or platelets
• Requires 5 days of injections before donation
• Most donors return to normal activities within 1–2 days
• Temporary side effects may include headaches, bone aches, or muscle aches

🔹 Bone Marrow Donation (10% of donations)
• Outpatient surgical procedure performed under anesthesia
• No pain during the procedure
• Most donors return to normal activities within 2–7 days
• Temporary side effects may include soreness in the lower back or hips, fatigue, and sore throat

No matter which method is used, donor safety is the top priority. The entire donation process typically involves 20–30 hours spread over 4–6 weeks, including testing, preparation, donation, and recovery.

If you're between 18 and 35 and in general good health, consider joining the NMDP Registry today.

Join the registry: my.nmdp.org/wfl

What happens if you're identified as a match for a patient?

First, NMDP will contact you to confirm you're willing and available to donate. You'll receive more information about the patient and the donation process, and you'll have the opportunity to ask questions.

Next, you'll undergo additional testing and a physical exam to ensure donation is safe for both you and the patient.

If you're confirmed as the best match, you'll donate either peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) or bone marrow. About 90% of donors provide PBSC through a nonsurgical outpatient procedure similar to donating plasma.

From the initial call to recovery, the entire donation process typically takes 20–30 hours spread over 4–6 weeks. Most donors return to work, school, and normal activities within 1–7 days after donation.

For a patient waiting for a match, that time could mean everything.

If you're between 18 and 35 and in general good health, consider joining the NMDP Registry today.

Join the registry: my.nmdp.org/wfl