What is the Best Gift You've Ever Given?

How about life? No, not giving birth. Helping to save a life. Its something that few people aspire to - you're just one person after all, what can you really do? A lot, actually.

Recently, I began noticing this badge in people's forum signatures and on other blogs. This particular forum world is an incredibly supportive place and I knew that it could only mean one of our precious little ones needed help. While hopping along various blogs, I found it's source - a fellow forum member and blogging Mommy; Mommy to Kate, a beautiful 10 month old girl who was just diagnosed with Congenital Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia.

What is that exactly? Big words describing a condition where Kate's bone marrow does not function properly, putting her in serious danger. Big words for absolutely heartbreaking. This form of bone marrow failure is incredibly rare and Kate needs a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible.

Prayer for Kate and her family is always welcomed, but there is something more you can do. Consider becoming a bone marrow donor. Be the Match, the National Marrow Donor Program, works to match donors with children and adults in need of a lifesaving transplant. It literally takes 10 minutes to sign up, they send you a registration kit, you swab your mouth with a q-tip, and send it back. You're registered. You can be called at any time to be a bone marrow donor.

Though I do not know Kate and her family personally, I felt a calling to write about this and help out. I joined the registry last night and am waiting on my swab kit to come in the mail. Aside from babies being an obvious soft spot of mine, it just felt like the right thing to do. Really, why not?

Becoming a marrow donor is a very personal decision and can potentially mean a serious commitment in the future. Get the facts and please consider joining. You could save a life - maybe even Kate's.

Follow Kate's journey at We're Finally Three. You can grab a blog button there to show your support and spread the word.