Myth or Fact?
African Americans are less likely to be registered as bone marrow donors compared to individuals of other racial or ethnic backgrounds
Fact!
What is to save lives and cure diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma and sickle cell disease by growing the number of potential bone marrow and stem cell donors on the global registry.
True or False: It is a common myth in the Black community that bone marrow donation involves significant pain and risks.
True
Which famous basketball player donated bone marrow to save his sister's life?
Michael Jordan
A bone marrow transplant is the same as a blood stem cell transplant!
Myth! They have different processes to collect the healthy cells!
Which national organizations or institutions have partnered with the Project Life Movement to amplify its message and reach broader audiences?
National Urban League, NAACP, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Which African country hosted the first-ever bone marrow donor drive specifically targeting people of African descent?
South Africa
In the TV show "Grey's Anatomy," which character donates bone marrow to her sister to save her life?
Lexie Grey
Bone marrow matches are equally easy to find for individuals of all racial and ethnic backgrounds!
Myth: A patient's likelihood of finding a matching bone marrow donor or cord blood unit on the Be The Match Registry® ranges from 29% to 79% depending on ethnic background.
How long do you stay on the registry?
Until you are 61!
What percentage of bone marrow donors in the United States are people of color, according to Be The Match?
Approximately 30%
What is the record for the largest bone marrow donor drive, set in India in 2012?
Over 35,000 people registered as donors in a single day!
Bone marrow donation is culturally accepted and widely practiced in all communities around the world!
Myth: A US study showed that individuals from the white population are 30% more likely to donate compared with other racial groups and that some minorities have more religious and cultural objections to donate and report less trust in stem cell transplantation. Awareness campaigns and counseling are good opportunities to help overcome fears, myths, and doubts, and thus maximize recruitment, donor commitment, and minimize attrition.
What percentage of transplants are for stem cells?
90%!
Which African country recently launched a national bone marrow registry to address the lack of donor diversity?
Nigeria
What is the name of the international campaign that aims to increase the representation of people of color in bone marrow registries?
Project Life Movement
International collaboration is not necessary to address disparities in bone marrow transplant outcomes
Myth: International collaboration was mandatory for the establishment of transplantation centers around the world and for a global donor registry. In 1972 the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry (IBMTR) was established for documenting HSCT outcome data.
How can individuals get involved with the Project Life Movement to support its mission of increasing diversity in bone marrow donor registries?
By volunteering at donor recruitment events, organizing fundraising campaigns, or spreading awareness through social media and community outreach.
Who was the first Black hematologist-oncologist to specialize in bone marrow transplantation and cancer research?
Dr. Roscoe Moore Jr.
How many people joined the registry to help find Jay Feinberg a donor?
60,000 people! Wow!