Anyone with a family member or friend affected by a blood cancer or blood disease knows the importance of registering with Be the Match Registry, operated by the National Marrow Donor Program.
This program has helped facilitate more than 111,000 blood stem cell transplants worldwide. But the registry still faces a significant challenge in reducing inequities in finding a matching donor. Patients are most likely to match someone of the same ethnic ancestry or background.
According to Be the Match, the odds of a Black or African American patient finding a match is 29%. By comparison, a white patient has a 79% chance.
It’s critical for the registry to diversify to help more patients. As part of my Girl Scout Silver Award to raise awareness of bone marrow donation, I am encouraging people in my community to “swab your circle.” This means encouraging eligible friends and family to register with Be the Match.
How to register:
- Be committed to donating if matched.
- Meet the aqe requirement of 18-40 (under 18 can pre-register). The age requirement is due to studies showing that patients receiving blood stem cells from younger donors have a better long-term survival rate.
- Go to Be the Match.org and click “Join” or scan the following QR code to go directly to the registration page. Answer the question about medical history and provide information to receive a swab kit in the mail.
- Receive your swab kit in the mail, follow instructions to swab your cheek, and return your kit to be entered in the registry. You are registered to potentially save a life! Answer the call to donate if matched. Thank you for your commitment.
