Safe Haven-a Ray of Hope remains passionately invested in its weekly campaign to get more Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority on the Donor Registry. Compared to the 75% of the Northern European background the BAME community remains at a low 23% of the 39million + represented on the Donor registry. This is concerning.
FINDING A BLOOD STEM CELL MATCH.
The curative procedure that could potentially improve and lengthen the life span of patients in dire need is solely dependent on finding a blood stem cell match. For the BAME community particularly for those suffering genetic blood disorders such as Sickle Cell Disease, Alpha and Beta Thalassemia and Chronic Granulomatous Disease, or cancers such as Leukemia the possibility of finding a compatible donor diminishes with each search. Just as several other disorders, 80, 000 people around the globe are actively in search for a blood stem cell match, of that number only 30% of patients are able to find a compatible donor in their family. Sadly, 8% of the searches performed in the global database result in 0 potential donors.
Our commitment to this awareness campaign was inspired by Valerie Olalemi, who was born with Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD), which causes the immune system to malfunction. She waited unsuccessfully for a compatible donor match and lost her battle with CGD last year, aged 8 years. Together the organisation aims to find lasting solutions to the shortage of Stem Cell donors, by raising awareness of the urgent need for donor registration in BAME countries and campaigning to make the testing process free for volunteer donors in countries that are in need of free testing system.
Are you between 17-55 years of age and in general good health? You could be Someone’s life saver, by becoming a donor! Create a lasting legacy that brings hope to kids.
YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE AND BECOME A DONOR BY;
Contacting your local donor registry to register as a potential blood stem cell donor. You can have this done online requesting a swab kit be sent and with a simple swab of the mouth in the convenience of your home it’s done or you can register at a donor recruitment drive. Once your swab is received, it is sent off to a specialist laboratory to be typed and registered. It is a simple, safe and fast process. Consider saving a life today, it is a rewarding experience.
