People of Color have difficulty finding bone marrow match due to limited donor pool

ByCrystal Cranmore WABC logo

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Limited donor pool for BIPOC makes finding bone marrow match difficult

BIPOC recipients have difficulty finding bone marrow and stem cell matches due to a limited donor pool.

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The odds of finding a bone marrow match for recipients in need can be tricky, however the search is even more difficult for recipients of color.

Nine-year-old Alfredo Diaz suffers from a rare blood condition and a bone marrow match could save his life.

"Only a stem cell match, a donation from stem cells could save his life," said Natalia Torres. "He's very, very strong kid because he has gone through a lot."

Alfredo is one of dozen of Hispanic patients awaiting a match.

Dr. Abeer Madbouly, a senior scientist with the National Marrow Donor Program, says a limited donation pool makes it hard to find a match for recipients of color.

ALSO READ | US gives final clearance to Pfizer COVID vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11

US health officials have given the final OK to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 5.

"Unfortunately, availability declines for our donors of color," said Dr. Abeer Madbouly. "The range for African-American, Latino, Asian and Native American availability of donors ranges from around a little less than 30 percent to around 47, 48 percent."

"I don't want to lose my son," said Torres. "That's why we're raising awareness. To ask every Hispanic person to be a donor of stem cells."

If you're interested in participating in the bone marrow donor program visit Be the Match to register.

ALSO READ | Running, eating and weather! Lee's guide to Marathon Sunday