Save the Date
New York, NY –In 2010, Preserve Our Legacy hosted its first week of awareness campaign for their 10-year old client LJ Jones, who was in need of a bone marrow transplant. This year, Preserve Our Legacy partnered with Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, the YMCA of Greater New York, Metropolitan College of New York, The Friends of Harlem Hospital, Harlem Hospital and 1199 SEIU to host their second annual week of bone marrow and umbilical cord blood awareness to help find a donors for various ethnic patients in need starting November 14-19, 2011.
Preserve Our Legacy, the organization that spearheaded Jaden’s Law, and Assemblyman Wright will be joined this year by Link to Life Network, Inc., the only African-American recruitment group for Be The Match, The Friends of Harlem Hospital, The YMCA of Greater New York, Metropolitan College of New York and 1199 SEIU will host six donor drives to applaud prospective bone marrow donors for a quick registration and cheek swab. This year, Preserve Our Legacy will also offer pregnant women the opportunity to register as umbilical cord blood donors for the Preserve Our Legacy Umbilical Cord Blood Program. These drives will be hosted at various YMCA locations in Bronx, Harlem, Queens, Brooklyn, 1199 SEIU and MCNY.
“Last year with the help of Assemblyman Keith Wright, The YMCA of Greater New York and MCNY our awareness campaign was a success. I am delighted that they are our partners this year and we are honored to add The Friends of Harlem, Harlem Hospital and 1199 SEIU this year, in addition to, various locations throughout America. Our goal for this week of awareness will be to help at least one patient find a match,” said Preserve Our Legacy Founder and President Brett Melius.
Earlier this year, Shana Melius’ appeared on BET’s 106 & Park and registered hosts Terrence and Rosci as bone marrow donors. Preserve Our Legacy also received a resolution from Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright and Governor Cuomo naming May 3, 2011 officially Bone Marrow and Umbilical Cord Blood day for New York State, recognizing Preserve Our Legacy’s efforts with increase awareness within various ethnic communities.
Registering as a bone marrow donor is a safe, yet easy process and painless. The entire registration process is about eight (8) minutes. Registering as an umbilical cord blood donor is for pregnant women and completed before delivery of the baby. The collection is completed after baby is born.
Celebrities and professional athletes will also team up in support of Preserve Our Legacy awareness week. More information will be provided at a later date.
Visit http://www.preserveourlegacy.org to learn more about additional drive locations during this week.
Contact:
Shana Melius for P.O.L., 877-778-3623 x702, shana.melius@preserveourlegacy.org.
Shyra Johnson for P.O.L., 877-778-3623 x718, shyra.johnson@preserveourlegacy.org.
Ben Rosen for Assemblyman Wright, 518-455-4793, rosenb@assembly.state.ny.us.
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