Place: Vedanta Center of Greater Washington, DC
3001 Bel Pre Road
Silver Spring, MD 301-603-1772

Date: July 4, 2009

Time: 1-3 PM (following our Fourth of July Program)

In conjunction with SAMAR (South Asian Marrow Association of Recruiters), the Vedanta Center will be conducting a bone marrow registration drive on July 4, specifically targeting the South Asian community. As some of you may know, the chances of someone finding a match for a bone marrow transplant are significantly higher if there is a large pool of donors from the same region. Since the South Asian community in the United States is relatively small, it is difficult for South Asians in need of a bone marrow transplant to find a matching donor here. That is why it is so important to increase the number of potential donors.

We encourage anyone of South Asian origin, in relatively good health and between the ages of eighteen and sixty, to consider registering as a donor. The process is simple: four swab samples are taken from the inside of the mouth and then sent into the SAMAR headquarters. We will have trained volunteers present to help with the procedure. Only those who are willing to be actual donors should consider registering. Those who are chosen to be donors will have to undergo a minor operation, which is not considered dangerous and can be done in a single day—but in the process, a life may be saved.

Please consider joining us in this noble work. Swami Vivekananda emphasized that service to living beings was tantamount to worship of God. And what better service can there be than the gift of life?

For further information, please call the Vedanta Center or visit the SAMAR Web site at www.Samarinfo.org.

Sincerely,

Vedanta Center of Greater Washington, DC