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According to Delete Blood Cancer, more than 14,000 people in the United States each year rely on strangers to step up and donate bone marrow. Finding a match for African-Americans is more challenging due to the 7 percent ratio of Blacks in the national registry.
Because bone marrow compatibility is based on genetics, a patient is more likely to find a compatible donor who shares the same ethnic background. Having a diverse pool of donors is a vital to ensure patients find the match they need.
To achieve this, a bone marrow drive will be held at Chapel Hill’s University Place, Friday, July 17, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Saturday, July 18, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. in honor of NC Superior Court Judge Carl Fox. Registration for the national bone marrow registry is open to adults 18-55, free, simple, and painless, consisting only of a cheek swab and paperwork.
