Thursday, November 26, 2009

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
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11 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 26, 2009 at 5:15 PM

    This points out the need for everyone to register and become a potential donor so that all those in need can find a match when they need it! Please please register and get involved. Save a life!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 26, 2009 at 5:39 PM

    I had no idea that you had to be from the same ethnicity to receive a boon marrow transplant. It is fascinating, yet sad, to know this. It amazes me that blood can be from any donor, yet the same blood type, but with bone marrow you have to be from the same ethnicity. More people should know about this so that there is greater awareness of the lack of matching transplants.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 26, 2009 at 9:21 PM

    I think its so cool that anyone outside of someone elses family can donate because they are more likely to have a match. That is a little strange to me, but it does make sence.
    And the fact that you have to be the same ethnicity makes sence also :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. lovely leahNovember 26, 2009 at 9:24 PM

    WHOA so awesome! way to go on the blog!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousNovember 26, 2009 at 9:33 PM

    im a poor hispanic male who has never before realized the unbridled potential of bone marrow!!! from now on im going to be donating to my brothers and sisters- VIVA LA MEXICO!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jose ViscasillasNovember 27, 2009 at 1:53 PM

    You have to be the same race? Thats so strange I didn't think it would matter. Im going to register and help out the hispanics. VIVA LA PUERTO RICO. haha

    Caroline Lewis is a supa blogger luv ya!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousNovember 28, 2009 at 10:11 AM

    I never would have thought that you have to be the same race to give someone bone marrow, but with this clear and concise research its easy to see why. Anyone who sees this blog should realize that donating bone marrow is a life saver, and a painless one at that.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousNovember 29, 2009 at 10:08 AM

    I didn't know that one marrow donations had to be from people of the same ethnicity. What if someone does not know their ethnicity? Do they find out through DNA testing. This is all very interesting. thank you

    ReplyDelete
  9. teen cosmetic surgery and self-esteem!November 29, 2009 at 4:05 PM

    WOW I had no idea bone marrow transplants were based on ethnicity - how crazy?!

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousNovember 30, 2009 at 4:10 PM

    I really never knew this and since I'm multi-racial and there is more of a need for this type of marrow, i would definitely be willing to donate bone marrow now! What if I needed it? It would really stink if no one could provide it only for the fact that there weren't enough mulit-racial donors! WOW

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  11. AnonymousDecember 6, 2009 at 9:32 PM

    As a physician who treats patients with cancer, I am amazed by the generosity that leads people to volunteer to be donors. From donating blood all the way to donating organs, it is so gratifying to be able to tell someone with cancer that they have a fighting chance because some anonymous donor is out there. Fortunately for bone marrow donors, they are not permanently losing an organ. In many ways, it is like a blood donation because the bone marrow quickly regenerates. What a surreal experience donors must have to know somewhere out there is a human being walking around with your bone marrow living in their body. On behalf of my patients, thank you to all of you who have ever signed up to be a donor.

    ReplyDelete

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