Why We Need Jaden’s Law (A4171A/S5917)
This is Shannon: a friendly and loving 10-year old girl who had a bright future ahead of her. Her dreams became a reality as a child actress in the famous show, “The Lion King” where she played Nala. Shannon was from Queens and came from a Dominican father and African American mother. Several months after her debut on the show, on September 2009, she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and needed a bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells or cord blood stem cells. Coming from a diverse ethnic background, she like many others had major difficulties finding a donor, and unfortunately passed away a year later at the age of 11. There were various treatment options available such as bone marrow or cord blood stem cells, but a limited number of donors. Unfortunately, this is a common problem that many families face, especially those from certain ethnic groups such as African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and many more. That’s why Jaden’s Law (A4171A/S5917) was proposed: to increase awareness about the benefits of bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs), and cord blood stem cells.
Everyday, people in the U.S. die from diseases that can be treated if they receive a bone marrow or cord blood transplant. Jaden's Law was passed in New Jersey providing all residents to receive information about bone marrow and/or PBSCs, the National Bone Marrow Donor Program, the benefits of donating and how to register. But now we want the law to pass in New York and we are reaching out for help. We need any kind of support to provide and raise awareness about this necessity.
Did You Know?
- Out of 193,000 registered cord blood donors, only 19% are Hispanic whereas 60% are White or Caucasian.
- Out of 11 million registered bone marrow donors, 65% are White or Caucasian but only 10% are Hispanic.
- According to New York State Department of Health (2015), there are 19,570,261 people in New York State, out of which 18.2% are Hispanic.
- Sickle Cell Anemia, Leukemia (Cancer), Breast Cancer, Diabetes, and Heart Disease are diseases that can be treated with stem cells via bone marrow, PBSC and cord blood donations.
Facts About Jaden’s Law (A4171A/S5917)
- Provides Information and spreads awareness about bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) and cord blood stem cells on the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles with an online brochure.
- Adds information about the need of donors with voter registration card.
- Online brochure about the need of bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) and cord blood stem cells and defines details about treatment options, provided along with the need of ethnic donors on NYS Department of Health website.
- Provides locations where individuals can register to donate bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) and cord blood within New York State and NYC.
Please Contact the following legislators to help us get Jaden’s Law (A4171A/S5917) passed in New York State
- Senate Health Chair: Senator Kemp Hannon, District Office: 516-739-1700 and Albany Office: 518-455-2200
- Assembly Health Chair: Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried, District Office: 212-807-7900 and Albany Office: 518-455-4941
- Speaker of the Assembly: Assemblyman Corl E. Heastie: District Office: 718-654-6539 and Albany Office: 518-455-4812
- Speaker of the Senate: Senator John J. Flanagan: District Office: 631-361-2154 and Albany Office: 518-455-2071
- Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright: District Office: 212-866-5809 and Albany Office: 518-455-4941
- Senator Diane J. Savino: District Office 1: (718) 727-9406, District Office 2: (718) 333-0311 and Albany Office: (518) 455-2437 or @dianesavino.
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