Increase Awareness and the Education for the Need for African American Bone Marrow Donors
WHEREAS, According to Be the Match, the likelihood of Black individuals finding a bone marrow donor match is significantly lower compared to other groups due to the genetic diversity within African ancestry; and
WHEREAS, Studies have shown that Black patients are up to 75% less likely to find a perfect match in certain donor registries (www.newsmedical.net/news/20210201/Study-explains-whypeople-of-African-descent-are less-likely-to-find-bone -marrow-donors.aspx); and
WHEREAS, Black individuals are underrepresented in donor registries, further reducing the chances of finding a match (https://www.wlns.com/top-stories/black-people-are-three-times-less-likely-to-find-a-bone-marrow-donor-than-white-people/).
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People reaffirms its 2019 Resolution on bone marrow donor availability for African American patients.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NAACP advocates and supports bone marrow donor initiatives for Black individuals because it is crucial to improving match rates and saving lives.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NAACP will support organizations like Be the Match and There Goes My Hero which encourage individuals, especially those of African descent, to register as potential donors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NAACP will share information about the need for diverse donors within our communities and provide education ourselves on the challenges facing Black patients in finding matches.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NAACP will encourage partnerships between local organizations to host bone marrow donor drives in schools, churches, or community centers to help recruit more donors from underrepresented groups; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NAACP calls for donor diversity and advancements in medical research for better matching techniques; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the NAACP, through its respective committees, encourages all members to learn more about the myths and misconceptions surrounding bone marrow donation.