A growing number of deaths
Deaths from sickle cell anemia, leukemia and lymphoma among Africans are rising.
These are diseases that can be effectively treated with bone marrow stem
cell transplants.
A small number of donors
Only 0.006% of the African population is registered as a potential bone marrow donor on
the continent’s accredited registries. In comparison, this donor-to-total population ratio
is up to 500x greater in the Western World. Africa is lagging behind.
Difficulty finding a match
Sickle cell anemia, leukemia and lymphoma patients of African descent find it more
difficult to get bone marrow donors compared to their Caucasian, Asian or Hispanic
counterparts. This is in part due to the scant representation of donors of African descent
on bone marrow registries worldwide.
To find out more about why patients of African descent find
it hard to find a match
click here
