Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department has partnered with the National Marrow Donor Program to sponsor several donor drives throughout Fairfax County during February. Its dual goal is to increase overall enrollment in the national marrow registry and encourage nationalities with lower representation to take part.
Each year, more than 35,000 children and adults in the United States are diagnosed with diseases such as leukemia which a marrow or blood cell transplant may be a treatment option. Only 30 percent will find a matched donor in their own family, according to statistics.
Registration requires only "a quick and easy swab inside the cheek," according to the Department's call for donors. Dates, places and times for registration have been scheduled as follows:
* Thursday, Feb. 1, Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
* Saturday, Feb. 3, Gum Springs Community Center, 8100 Fordsom Road, Alexandria, noon to 4 p.m.;
* Thursday, Feb. 8, South County Government Center, 8350 Richmond Hwy., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* Saturday, Feb. 10, Fire Station 5, 6300 Beulah St., Alexandria, noon to 6:30 p.m.;
* Tuesday, Feb. 20, Fairfax School Board Office Bldg., 8115 Gatehouse Road, Fall Church, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
* Wednesday, Feb. 21, Lee District Recreation Center, 6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
* Saturday, Feb. 24, South Run Recreation Center, 7550 Reservation Drive, Springfield, Noon to 4 p.m.; Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Road, Reston, Noon to 4 p.m.
* Monday, Feb. 26, Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2017 Belle View Blvd., Alexandria, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.