Why We Need Jaden’s Law (A4171/S5917)

This is Mary Olivia a foster child who has more resilience and strength than other kids her age. Mary was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). She was hospitalized for five months for intense chemotherapy treatment. The chemotherapy caused Mary to have heart failure. After battling heart seizures she received a heart transplant. A year later, she was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). Mary's life can be saved if she is treated with a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, African Americans are underrepresented in the national registry for Bone Marrow. 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 (A4171/S5917) was proposed: to increase awareness about the benefits of bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs), and cord blood stem cells.

Every day, people in the U.S. die from diseases that can be treated if they receive 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 8% are African-American. Out of 11 million registered bone marrow donors 6% are African American.
• According to New York State Department of Health (2015), there are 19,570,261 people in New York State, out of which, 15% are African-American or Black
• 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 (A4171)

• 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 (A4171) 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 Savino : District Office: 718-727-9406 718-333-0311 and Albany Office: 518-455-2437

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