African Americans Save Lives by Joining the 'Be the Match Registry'
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Posted By: Reginald Culpepper on January 28, 2011 Jennifer Jones Austin never set out to be this kind of leader, but once she began her journey with marrow transplantation, she took the opportunity to become one. Ms. Austin was diagnosed with leukemia in September 2009. Her best hope for a cure was a marrow transplant, but no one in her family was a match for her. The same is true with 70 percent of patients, who turn to the Be The Match Registry® for the marrow transplant they need. Patients are most likely to match those who share their heritage, yet only 7 percent of Be The Match Registry members are African American. Despite her illness, Ms. Austin became an advocate for the cause and encouraged other African Americans to join the Be The Match Registry. With tremendous support and hands-on assistance from her friends, family and community, Ms. Austin and her husband helped organize donor registry drives across America. In just a few short months, their efforts yielded 13,000 new members, more than 80 percent from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. This month, Ms. Austin celebrates the one-year anniversary of her transplant. Her transplant was the result of one mother who generously decided before her baby was born that she wanted to help patients in need. This mother found out umbilical cord blood is a rich source of the blood-forming cells used in transplant, and elected to donate her baby’s cord blood to a public cord blood bank. Donating cord blood is a safe and easy procedure for both mother and child. Immediately after the baby is born, cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord and placenta. It is then stored for any matching patient in need of a marrow transplant. As with adult marrow, donated cord blood from African Americans is especially needed so all patients have hope for a cure. Happy Anniversary to Jennifer Jones Austin, an inspirational and courageous leader who got involved to give all patients hope. You can inspire others, too, by joining the Be The Match Registry, giving financially, becoming involved and donating your baby’s cord blood. Join the HBCU Community - Saving Lives with the Be The Match Registry Visit http://hbcu.BeTheMatch.org If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Reginald Culpepper
President, Fulfillment and Web Services, HBCUCONNECT Clark Atlanta University class of 1998 Member Since September 2000 |
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