A recent report by the Health Resources and Services Administration reveals that out of the 18,000 Americans diagnosed with diseases necessitating a bone marrow transplant each year, only 30 percent have suitable relatives who can donate their marrow. The remaining individuals must wait for a match, which can be particularly challenging for Black patients. Bone marrow transplants serve a range of purposes, such as replacing non-functioning marrow in diseases like sickle cell anemia or leukemia. Additionally, they can generate a new immune system to combat abnormal cells after chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
For individuals considering becoming bone marrow donors, the first step is to consult with a healthcare professional to determine their eligibility. While donors between the ages of 18 and 35 are generally preferred, those up to 45 years old may still be accepted. Upon approval, potential donors can contact the national bone marrow donation registry to initiate the process. A health professional will discuss the matching process and collect a cell sample, which will be tested for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing. If a match is found, further tests will be conducted to ensure the absence of any genetic anomalies that could affect the donation.
The report emphasizes the importance of increased bone marrow donations from Black individuals. Unlike organ transplants, bone marrow transplants require matching donors and recipients based on ethnicity, and Black Americans face difficulty finding matches. A staggering 76 percent of white individuals find a match, while Black patients only succeed 29 percent of the time. Such a disparity underscores the significant impact of the lack of Black donors on the accessibility of medical care for Black Americans.
