Despite public awareness of blood cancers such as leukaemia, the number of people that donate blood and have registered as potential bone marrow donors isn’t as high as would be expected. However, within ethnic minority groups the numbers are significantly lower. Consequently, there's a disproportionate disadvantage for anyone from an ethnic minority background requiring blood transfusions or bone marrow donations in finding a successful match.
There’s approximately a 1 in 100,000 chance of a black, mixed race or Asian person needing a bone marrow transplant finding a successful match. However, that’s in stark contrast to a one in three chance for a white person. Similarly, according to the ACLT, 20% of the black African and Caribbean population are blood group B and only 9% of western Europeans share this group. Yet fewer than 1% of blood donors in the UK are black or mixed race. The statistics really should be enough to prompt anyone (subject to health and the eligibility criteria) to register to donate blood and as potential bone marrow donors.
Ignorance of the statistics is arguably a factor in contributing to so few donors from ethnic minority communities. However, charities like the ACLT and Anthony Nolan work to promote public awareness and encourage donors from all backgrounds (not just ethnic minorities). As a result, the probability of successful donors being found has improved but the number of donors from ethnic minority backgrounds clearly still needs to increase.
Not knowing how effortless it is to register as a potential bone marrow donor or to donate blood is another factor that deters people from doing so. Registering as a potential bone marrow donor can be via a blood or saliva sample and both methods are quick and simple. Similarly, donating blood is a simple process and registering as a potential bone marrow donor via a blood sample can be done at the same time.
The ACLT and Anthony Nolan regularly have donation drives where you can register as a potential bone marrow donor and further information can be found on their respective websites (www.aclt.org and www.anthonynolan.org). Alternatively, visit the Bone Marrow Registry website at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/bonemarrow. To find out more about becoming a blood donor, visit www.blood.co.uk.
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Ignorance of the statistics is arguably a factor in contributing to so few donors from ethnic minority communities. However, charities like the ACLT and Anthony Nolan work to promote public awareness and encourage donors from all backgrounds (not just ethnic minorities). As a result, the probability of successful donors being found has improved but the number of donors from ethnic minority backgrounds clearly still needs to increase.
Not knowing how effortless it is to register as a potential bone marrow donor or to donate blood is another factor that deters people from doing so. Registering as a potential bone marrow donor can be via a blood or saliva sample and both methods are quick and simple. Similarly, donating blood is a simple process and registering as a potential bone marrow donor via a blood sample can be done at the same time.
The ACLT and Anthony Nolan regularly have donation drives where you can register as a potential bone marrow donor and further information can be found on their respective websites (www.aclt.org and www.anthonynolan.org). Alternatively, visit the Bone Marrow Registry website at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/bonemarrow. To find out more about becoming a blood donor, visit www.blood.co.uk.
