by Marlene Rodriguez
Of the 31,000 children and adults in the United States who need a bone marrow transplant every year, about 70 percent must search for an unrelated donor. These patients turn to the National Marrow Donor Program's (NDMP's) Registry of volunteer donors in hope of finding a match. Unfortunately, minorities are underrepresented on the NMDP's Registry and, as a result, minority patients are less likely than non-minorities to find a donor that matches.
The medical student groups Fostering and Achieving Cultural Equity and Sensitivity (FACES) in Medicine and the Asian-Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) want to help improve these chances by sponsoring a drive to help target ethnic minorities.
"Many of us (minority medical students) want to practice in our communities once we are physicians, but this bone marrow drive gives us the opportunity to help our communities before graduation," says Ricky Ochoa, FACES president and first-year medical student.
The drive, which is open to AHSC students, faculty and staff, is set for Saturday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., UMC Dining Rooms E and F, and for Wednesday, March 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., UA Student Union, Arizona Ballroom. Representatives from the American Red Cross also will be conducting a blood drive at these sites.
There is a critical need for more minority volunteer donors. African Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and American Indian/Alaskan Natives are encouraged to consider becoming a donor.
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 60, in good general health, can become a volunteer marrow donor. After learning about the donation process and signing a consent form, a small blood sample will be drawn, tested for marrow type and listed on the NMDP Registry. If you are a member of a minority group, the test is free thanks to a federal grant aimed at increasing the diversity of the Registry. Funds for testing non-minorities are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, contact Suzanne Powell, NMDP representative, 318-6874, or Marlene Rodriguez, pager 410-6673.
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