The Need for Diversity!

For minority people in need of a transplant, finding a match is very difficult because not as many minorities register as a bone marrow donor.


If you receive a donation from someone other than your family, then you will receive it from someone who is the same ethnicity. If you are white then your chances of finding a match are approximately 80-85%, but if you are an ethnic minority then your chances drop drastically to approximately 35-45%.

As of 2004 in the NMDP Donors:
Whites -- 3,167,307
Hispanic -- 547,034
African American -- 490,603
Asian/Pacific Islander -- 429,177
Multiple Race/Other -- 160,905
American Indian/Alaska Native -- 74,716
Decline/Unknown -- 1,415,542

The percentages remain similar in 2009 as they were then. More multiracial and minority races are needed to join! These matches are NOT determined by blood type!

Bone marrow donors and recipients must be the same ethnicity because they are matched by the DNA sequences of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) genes. The HLA genes are a vital component of the immune system because they help determine if proteins belong to the body or are a foreign agent. It is essential that the HLA genes match as closely as possible when a transplant is performed because otherwise, the recipient has a greater chance of severe Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD) taking place. When GVHD occurs, the new stem cells attack the recipient's body because it is seen as "foreign".


When a transplant is done between relatives the chance of GVHD occurring is between 30-40%, but when it is done between non-relatives, the chances increase to 60-80%. There is a 10-20% chance of a patient dying from GVHD.



One in 20,000 people will be a life-saving match! You CAN make the difference to saving a life! Many multi-racial or minority patients are told by their doctors how slim their chances are of finding a match in time. It shouldn't be this way! If you are interested, register when a registration drive is near you! Time really is of the essence!

Citations:

http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/transplant/research/additionalGene.htm

http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/geneFamily=hla

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001309.htm


http://www.ucsfchildrenshospital.org/education/graft-versus-host_disease/index.html

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/health&id=6058378

http://rarediseases.about.com/od/rarediseasesb/a/minoritymarrow.htm

The Common Misconceptions of Registering and Donating!

Hey everyone! I hope that you like this post, especially because for most of you, some of these truths will make you actually consider registering! When anyone hears the words "bone marrow donation", they automatically think of a giant needle and a lot of pain. However, this is NOT how it works.



Previously, to register to donate bone marrow, a small sample of blood would be taken and processed. However, NO blood is taken now. All that is necessary to register is some paperwork and a cotton mouth swab that will be rubbed along your gumline for a few seconds. Simple enough, right?



To start on the facts of donations, bone marrow donations are NOT painful. If you use this procedure when donating, you will be under general anesthesia or regional anesthesia (you will lose feeling waist and under). You don't feel a thing! Anyways, this procedure is only used 30% of the time.



The most commonly used procedure is called Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) Donation, which is non-surgical. For those of you who have given blood, it is very similar. I gave blood and it wasn't bad at all and I'm terrified of needles. PBSC donations are just like giving blood, it just takes a little longer.



You do not lose the bone marrow you donate! Your body will naturally regenerate bone marrow in approximately 4 weeks. Donations only take 2% of your body's bone marrow.



Bone marrow is NOT taken from your spine. I think that people may get this procedure confused with a spinal tap, but they are completely unrelated. A bone marrow donation is taken from the area around your rear hip bone.



You CAN donate if you're underweight! This is very different from the requirements to donate blood, however, there is a maximum weight requirement.



Many people assume that they don't need to register because no one in their family is in need of a transplant. Unrelated donors are better and more likely to find a match. Only 30% of family members are able to donate to their family.



Now you know the truth about donating! You do need to be 18 to register so if you are currently a minor then you have time to consider if you want to be a part of this! With the technology of our generation, bone marrow donations are painless and very safe! They are still assumed to be the way they are seen in the movies or the procedures used in the 20th century. I hope this will help any of you considering registering to make an informed decision!

The Lives You Can Save!

Bone marrow donations are critical to the survival of patients in need! 70% of all of the patients who need a bone marrow transplant will NOT recieve one because there is no matching donor. If more people register, there will be more matches. You can be the miracle for someone who may think they are out of options. Join the registry and become a part of something bigger than yourself!

Bone marrow is a tissue found inside of the bones. However, the reason for bone marrow transplants is due to a precious presence in the bone marrow; bone marrow contains undifferentiated cells called stem cells. These stem cells are capable of differentiating and maturing into white blood cells (they fight infection), platelets (they help blood clot), and red blood cells ( they carry oxygen to the body from the lungs) as the body needs each of type of cell.

There are many disorders and diseases that require a bone marrow transplant to correct the body's problem. Here are a few of the most common disorders:

There are many forms of cancer that a bone marrow transplant can help. The most common are leukemia and lymphoma. Leukemia occurs due to 1 abnormal cell that begins to replicate and then causes chaos throughout the body and production of other blood cells. Lymphoma occurs when the cells in the lymph nodes replicate rapidly and produce tumors (made of the white blood cells).
Also, when cancers are treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation, the cancerous cells are killed as well as the healthy stem cells. Bone marrow transplants replace these damaged cells.

There are also some forms of anemia that can be treated with bone marrow transplants. Aplastic anemia occurs when the bone marrow doesn't produce enough blood cells. Sickle cell anemia occurs when the red blood cells are C-shaped causing them to stick to blood vessels and accumulate into clumps which blocks blood flow.

There are many other diseases that involve some sort of malfunction of the production of cells and can be treated with a bone marrow transplant. Victims of these diseases are running out of time. Your registration increases the chance of a match and successful transplant! Join today with the Be The Match Registry!

Citations: www.marrow.org/
http://www.psbc.org/programs/marrow.htm