There's still time to have your bone marrow tested

If you missed the free bone marrow testing drive at Sam's Town the other day, you can still make it to one at Noel United Methodist Church in Highland. About 200 had been tested by 2:30 p.m.

The purpose of the drive is to see if you can help Ethan Powell, a 4-month-old from Shreveport who has leukemia. The testing normally costs $45. Read more about that in Mary Jimenez's story from the other day.

It's easy, and you just might help save a little boy's life. Granted you should be willing to actually donate the marrow (which is a surgical procedure) if you get tested and added to the national list. They'll contact you if you are ever a match for someone on a local waiting list.

Anyway, I finished the whole testing process in about 15 minutes. It's open until 7 p.m. Here's how you do it:

Fill out your donation papers (and watch a short video).

Swab the inside of your mouth with four Q-tip-like objects.

Put the swabs in their packet and envelope.


Seal it.

Drop it in the box. You'll be contacted if you're a match.