The local American Red Cross and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Nebraska Chapter have organized a bone marrow
testing drive for minorities who may be interested in potentially
saving the lives of minorities in need of bone marrow for bone
marrow transplants. A shortage of donors exists among people who
are of Asian, Pacific Islander, African, Native American, Alaskan
and Hispanic decent, as well as other minority groups.
The free bone marrow testing drive is scheduled
on Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the American Red
Cross, 3838 Dewey Ave. Those eligible for donation include people
from age 18 to 60 in good health without asthma, diabetes or
heart problems.
The drive was initially prompted by a news
story before Thanksgiving about a Gothenburg, Neb., woman, Tami
Brundage, a patient at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Halfway through her pregnancy she was diagnosed with leukemia,
and later received chemotherapy while still pregnant.
On Nov. 19, she and her husband, Devin,
celebrated the birth of their first child, Braeden, a healthy
baby boy. However, when Tami is healthy enough, physicians say
she will need a bone marrow transplant. But finding a bone marrow
match is more difficult because she is Asian and was adopted at
birth and cannot trace her biological family.
The best chance of finding a matched donor is
within a person’s own family, but 70 percent of patients do
not find a suitable match within their own families. These
patients must find an unrelated donor — most likely someone from
the same racial or ethnic background.
The greater the number of potential donors, the
greater the chance to match with someone in need. Currently,
there’s a one in 20,000 chance of two people in the registry
having the same bone marrow match, but the odds are even greater
for minorities, said Colleen Whitney of the Red Cross.
Several Asian women who also were adopted, as
well as others, have stepped forward to be tested to see if they
match, with Tami. Results are usually kept confidential, however,
both donor and recipient can choose to reveal who they are one
year after the transplant, and meet if they choose.
Each year, more than half of the 16,000
Americans diagnosed with fatal blood disorders like leukemia or
aplastic anemia will die. Bone marrow transplantation is used to
treat and cure nearly 60 fatal blood diseases. Bone marrow is a
soft, spongy material that manufactures the body’s blood cells
and rebuilds damaged immune systems.
The drive is open to all minorities without an
appointment. Those who attend the drive only need to fill out
simple paperwork and have a small amount of blood drawn.
Normally, the procedure costs $50, however, the testing is free
because of the national shortage of minority donors.
The blood sample is used to evaluate a
person’s A and B antigens on the surface of white blood
cells. The results are then registered anonymously in the
National Marrow Donor Program computer registry. If the
donor’s antigens match a patient’s, the donor may be
asked to give another small sample of blood. If the antigens
match the patient’s, the donor is asked whether they still
want to become a donor.
The donor would then undergo a simple surgical
procedure in a hospital (overnight stay usually required) under
anesthesia in which a small amount of marrow is removed.
Following the procedure, they may experience slight discomfort
for a week or so in the lower back. Their marrow is replenished
within a few weeks. The donor marrow is used for the
recipient’s transplant.
Free parking is available at the Red Cross.
Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Colleen
Whitney at 341-2723, ext. 2108.
UNMC is the only public academic health science
center in the state. Through its commitment to research,
education and patient care, UNMC has established itself as one of
the country’s leading centers for cancer research and treatment
and solid organ transplantation. Nearly $25 million in research
grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually. In
addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for
training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than
any other institution.