Preserve Our Legacy

Preserve Our Legacy Forced by Be The Match to cover cost of registered bone marrow donors

2012-01-03T08:44:00.000-08:00

Recently, we were informed that we as a grassroot organization, that receives no federal funding, would have to cover the cost of signing up bone marrow donors. Considering, we established NJ Bill A2168/S2038 - Jaden's Law, we have increased awareness about bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation within various ethnic communities through out America and the world with the help of various celebrities and major networks.

In 2010, we were informed that the only way we could become a recruitment group for BE THE MATCH we would have to register 1500 donors for the year as a volunteer recruitment group for three years. Even though, we established legislation including the NMDP. We were emailed paperwork, that was different from what our boardmember Akiim DeShay found on their website. In addition in 2010, through various groups we were able to do so, however, we were informed that did not count. In addition, we worked with groups that were compensated for our efforts, meaning BE THE MATCH recruitment groups are paid per donor, which was unknown at the time, but we later found out.

In early 2011, after our appearance on BET we received thousands of calls from potenital donors, BE THE MATCH recruiters, emails and post that our appearance helped them with registering or signing up donors to register. However, we later found out our organization would not receive any credit for doing so, because we were NOT a recognized recruitment group for BE THE MATCH. Therefore, we decided to work with LINK TO LIFE NETWORK, INC (The only African-American Recruitment group for BE THE MATCH). While we thought this would be a perfect partnership and assist in increasing awareness within the African-American and various ethnic communities, unfortunately found out later, it was not in the eyes of BE THE MATCH. This partnership would consist of two minority underrepresented groups coming together and would mean the ability to recruit more ethnic donors, in addition to, increasing the available donors for various ethnic patients in need. Rationally, this would be something good, unfortunately, the result was LTLN funding was cut, which led to only allowing Preserve Our Legacy the ability to register 100 donors for free, anything over 100 we would have to pay $100 per donor, no matter if they are from the priority underrepresented Ethnic groups or Caucasian. However, based on the goal imposed by BE THE MATCH, which we are required to register 1500 people a year to become recognized by BE THE MATCH. While we understand that the economy has made it hard for not-for-profits, however, there are four recruitment groups based in New York State including LTLN, Inc. and LTLN receives the least amount of funding and recruitment goals of the four. Some groups are allowed funding and the ability to recruit 40,000 individuals in one year, while LTLN receives less than 1000 for the year. Even though they are the ONLY African-American recruitment group. New Jersey bill A2168/S2038, Jaden's Law, is historically the only legislation that speaks about educating individuals about bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC). Therefore, we are confused why we could not receive additional funding and increased recrutiment goals to assist in increasing the numbers of the underrepresented. The federal funding states these minority groups should be made priority. Here is part of the legislation H.R. 2520:
(e) Bone Marrow Recruitment; Priorities; Information and Education-

(1) RECRUITMENT; PRIORITIES- The Program shall carry out activities for the recruitment of bone marrow donors. Such recruitment program shall identify populations that are underrepresented among potential donors enrolled with the Program. In the case of populations that are identified under the preceding sentence:

(A) The Program shall give priority to carrying out activities under this part to increase representation for such populations in order to enable a member of such a population, to the extent practicable, to have a probability of finding a suitable unrelated donor that is comparable to the probability that an individual who is not a member of an underrepresented population would have.

(B) The Program shall consider racial and ethnic minority groups (including persons of mixed ancestry) to be populations that have been identified for purposes of this paragraph, and shall carry out subparagraph (A) with respect to such populations.

Therefore, for 2012 if we want to become a recruitment group for BE THE MATCH, we will have to cover 1400 individuals that we register in the amount of $140,000. Unfortunately, due to this new financial burden imposed to us, we will not be able or it will be difficult to register bone marrow donors!

Therefore, we are asking for financial support from our community to help cover these expenses as well as speaking to your local legislator, congress person, city council person or political leader to help us!!

If you are interested in assisting or interviews, please contact me shana.melius@preserveourlegacy.org or visit our website: www.preserveourlegacy.org.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 - NEW ACTIONS...BONE MARROW DONORS COMPENSATED

2012-01-03T07:32:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEARS FROM THE PRESERVE OUR LEGACY FAMILY!
I hope everyone obtained what they wanted for the holidays. I wanted to wait until after the holidays to discuss what has been an extreme topic from numerous of individuals that know the work that is done by our company. In December, the 9th circuit panel of three judges voted unanimously to overturn the ruling of the NOTA of bone marrow donors not being compensated.

According to the 9th circuit panel, due to new medical techniques, now,there is an essentially risk-free technique — called apheresis — for obtaining the stem cells not from hip bones but from the arms — the bloodstreams — of donors as they rest for six or so hours in a recliner (retrieved from http://www.newsmax.com/GeorgeWill/Bone-Marrow-Donors-Compensated/2011/12/30/id/422579).

From our perspective and our relationship with Kumud Majumder, we, as an organization, believe that compensation, will definitely increase the level of survival for patients in need. However, many must understand the odds of being a match are still very slim due to the limited number of donors from various ethnic communities. Presently, five ethnic groups, Hispanic, African-Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, American Indians are comprised between 28-31% of the National Registry for bone marrow & Umbilical cord blood donation, while Caucasians are between 61 to over 70% of the registry for bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donors. These staggering percentages have been in the same variation for over 20 years (since 1991 joining all groups together for National Efforts). Those from various ethnic diverse groups have increased the least, this is why my husband and I started Preserve Our Legacy to try to make a difference and increasing awareness in such ethnic communities and establish Jaden's Law throughout America.

This new ruling would possibly encourage more individuals to sign up, in hopes of being compensated. Although it is not a direct cash payment, it can be in a form of scholarships, housing allowances, or contributions to charities chosen by donors. The program would initially target potential minority and mixed-race donors who are likely to have marrow cell types that are the most difficult to match(retrieved from http://www.newsmax.com/GeorgeWill/Bone-Marrow-Donors-Compensated/2011/12/30/id/422579). Some believe this would be a wrong motive, however, in the possibility to save anothers life, what other option can be applied. Many are familiar with Jaden's story. In 2006, there was only 4% available for African-Americans. Imagine if this ruling pertaining to NOTA was established, maybe Jaden would be here today, along with the thousands that have lost their lives.

We just want people to be aware that you still have to be a genetic match in order to be a donor. The more ethnic people that register the better the odds of someone finding a match.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. has a lot on the horizon for 2012! Branching the Preserve Our Legacy Umbilical Cord Blood program to different states, establishing Jaden's Law in other states, and MUCH MORE to come. For more information about us: www.preserveourlegacy.org

PRESERVE OUR LEGACY, INC. TO HOST "PRESERVE SEUN'S DREAM" FUNDRAISER ON NOVEMBER 16, 2011

2011-11-05T02:06:00.000-07:00

New York, NY – Life provides individuals with the opportunity to fulfill their desired dreams. However, if you are diagnosed with a disease that requires a bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant then all your dreams can be brought to a halt. The only focus at that point is survival. The situation is even more dire if you are from an ethnic group that is underrepresented on the bone marrow registry. But, for one individual that went through such a horrific situation he made a choice to focus on his dream. Seun Adebiyi made sure he thought of staying alive to fulfill his childhood dream of representing Nigeria at the Olympics. On November 16, 2011, Preserve Our Legacy will host their 2nd Annual Fundraiser themed “Preserve Seun’s Dream” at Chocolat Restaurant located at 2217-23 Frederick Douglass Blvd., NY, NY 10026 from 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm. This event is sponsored by Harlem Native Corwin J. Breeden.

Seun Adebiyi in 2009, after graduating from Yale Law and in the midst of training for the 2014 Olympics, was diagnosed with two aggressive cancers – stem cell leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma. While battling this disease and going through treatment. Seun stayed focused on his goal of participating in the next Winter Olympics. In January 2010, he received an umbilical cord blood donation that saved his life. He is now focused on raising awareness about umbilical cord blood donations, while continuing to train for 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia. When asked about his goals, he replied “I want to help someone else receive a second chance at life, and the Olympics are the ideal platform to promote awareness, “says Seun Adebiyi, Olympic hopeful.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit, whose mission is to educate individuals, especially those from various ethnic groups, about the benefits of stem cells through treatment options provided via peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donations. The organization also spearheaded Jaden’s Law to increase awareness about PBSC and bone marrow donation within various ethnic communities. Preserve Our Legacy launched the first educational program, P.O.L. Umbilical Cord Blood Program at Harlem Hospital in December 2010. Since Jaden’s death, Preserve Our Legacy has been advocating to increase awareness about the need of various ethnic donors, in addition to, having those that register step up when called upon to help a patient. “We are happy to team up with Seun to help him fulfill his Olympic Dream. He was our primary supporter with our program at Harlem Hospital when we started. Our fundraising goal is to help him with some of his expenses to achieve his dream and we will do just that, while educating ethnic individuals throughout the world about bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation,” says Brett Melius, Co-Founder of Preserve Our Legacy, Inc.

The proceeds will be used to recruit bone marrow donors and support Preserve Our Legacy’s innovative cord blood program. Preserve Our Legacy will also assist Seun with his Skeleton training and equipment as he seeks to use his Olympic quest to raise awareness about bone marrow and cord blood donations.
Tickets are $100.00, you can purchase your tickets online at

P.O.L. “Preserve Seun’s Dream” Fundraiser
Location: Choclat Restaurant 2217 Frederick Douglass Blvd (120th & 8th Ave)
Date: November 16, 2011 Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

For more info contact Preserve Our Legacy : 877-778-3623
Eleanor Griffin, Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. ext 720 or Eleanor.griffin@preserveourlegacy.org, Shana Melius, ext 702 or shana.melius@preserveourlegacy.org or Brett Melius, ext 703 or brett.melius@preserveourlegacy.org
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Preserve Our Legacy to host 2nd Annual Cord Blood and Bone Marrow Awarenes Week in November

2011-09-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

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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PRESERVE OUR LEGACY PARTNERS WITH LINK TO LIFE NETWORK TO EDUCATE AND INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT BONE MARROW DONATION

2011-08-09T06:34:00.000-07:00

Historical Partnership to increase awareness

New York, NY – Individuals with an ethnic background are at a disadvantage when it comes to finding a bone marrow match on the National Registry. According to the U.S. Census report, there are 311,899, 603 people in the United States and out of population, only 9 million people are registered on the National BE THE MATCH Registry as bone marrow donors. According to the C.W. Bill Young Transplantation website, in 2010, out of 9 million registered volunteers, only 28% (approximately 2.5 million volunteer donors) are represented by individuals from ethnic backgrounds. However, there is a new historical partnership that will embark on increasing the numbers of ethnic volunteer donors – that is Preserve Our Legacy and Link to Life Network, Inc.

Link to Life Network, Inc. (LTLN), is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization, which was formed in 1992 to assist the NMDP in its efforts to register minority bone marrow donors. LTLN is the “only” African American official recruitment group of the National Marrow Donor Program/BE THE MATCH registry. Their mission is to increase the opportunity for minorities with life threatening diseases to obtain bone marrow transplants by increasing public awareness of the need for minority potential bone marrow registrants.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. (POL) is a 501 (c)(3), not-for-profit organization that was started after the devastating loss of a friend’s son named Jaden Hilton. The mission of the organization is to educate (edu-tain) individuals and create awareness about the benefits of stem cells and treatment options they provide, through peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation. In efforts to increase awareness, POL founders fought and co-wrote A2168/S2038 in New Jersey. This historical legislation was established when NJ Governor Christie signed their legislation into law on August 25, 2010. The organization also received a resolution from New York Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright naming May 3, “Bone Marrow and Umbilical Cord Blood Day” officially for New York State.

These organizations have joined forces to increase awareness within the ethnic community about the benefits of becoming a registered volunteer to help save a life. Both organizations have a calendar full of events that will be announced in the near future.

For more information about Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. log onto to or contact 877.778.3623: Shana Melius, ext 702 or shana.melius@preserveourlegacy.org, for more information about Link to Life Network, Inc. log onto or contact 917 593-4174 or michaelmarrowman@aol.com. For more information about C.W. Bill Young Transplantation Program Registry Data log on to: http://bloodcell.transplant.hrsa.gov/RESEARCH/Registry_Data/index.html
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PRESERVE OUR LEGACY & ASSEMBLYMAN KEITH WRIGHT HOLD FIRST ANNUAL BONE MARROW & UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD TRANSPLANT DAY IN NEW YORK STATE

2011-04-15T06:50:00.000-07:00

Calls on New Yorkers to help with awareness campaign for Jaden’s Law A.4294 & goal to register 25K minority bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donors for 2011

New York, NY – There are thousands of patients struggling to find a donor on the National Registry when faced with the dilemma of needing a peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC), bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplants. However, Preserve Our Legacy has partnered with Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright to galvanize the support of New Yorkers to help those minority patients in need as well as awareness for New York Assembly Bill 4294 titled Jaden’s Law with the first annual bone marrow and umbilical cord blood day of Advocacy in Albany on May 3, 2011.

Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright re-introduced Jaden’s Law, A.4294, in January 2011. Jaden’s Law New York, requires that commissioner of the Department of Health to prepare an online brochure based on information derived from the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), which may be downloaded by physicians and designed to inform patients of the option to become bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors by registering with the NMDP. The legislation also includes bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donations to the New York State donate life registry as well as facilitates registration through voter registration and forms an driver license applications.

The current National Registry contains a registry of millions. For a successful transplant, the tissue type of a bone marrow donor or a cord blood unit needs to match the patient's as closely as possible. Tissue types are inherited, so patients are more likely to match someone who shares their racial or ethnic heritage. Therefore, it remains difficult to match many patients, especially those from racially and ethnically diverse communities. Like bone marrow, cord blood is rich in the blood-forming cells that can be used in transplants for patients with leukemia, lymphoma and many other life-threatening diseases. These cells are not embryonic stem cells but contain life-saving qualities. There is a tremendous need for more people to join the registry and expectant parents to donate umbilical cord blood. “This legislation will help more people receive a transplant and more families will have a future filled with hope”, says Jeanine Johnson, Esq., Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit that was started by Robert and Shana Melius, after the devastating loss of a 3-year old African-American boy named Jaden Hilton. The Melius’ made it their life’s mission to educate individuals, especially various ethnic groups, about the benefits of adults stem cells through treatment options available through just an act to help “save a life” through donation. Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. has partnered with Harlem Hospital, celebrities, political figures and various minority groups to create the awareness within the minority community.

For A4294 Jaden’s Law information log onto to: http://www.preserveourlegacy.org

For more event or PR information contact Shana, Compliance contact Tiffani:
Shana Melius, Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. 877-778-3623 ext 702 or shana.melius@preserveourlegacy.org, Tiffani Hilton, Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. 877.778.3623 ext. 704 or tiffani.hilton@preserveourlegacy.org
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FORMER BET REALITY STAR LANDON DAIS DEDICATES 30TH BIRTHDAY TO HELP RAISE FUNDS AND REGISTER DONORS FOR PRESERVE OUR LEGACY, INC

2011-04-02T15:40:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release
March 31, 2011

As Finance Committee Co-Chair, Dais provides support to help register minorities For goal of 25,000 for 2011 on April 5, 2011 at Harlem Lanes

New York, NY – It was announced today Former BET Reality show cast member of Harlem Heights and recently elected Co-Chair of Preserve Our Legacy Finance Committee, Landon Dais will dedicate his 30th birthday to help raise funds and register minority donors on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at Harlem Lanes, which is located at 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd, #3, New York, NY 10027 from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

Landon Dais is the founder of Landon Dais Associates, a political strategy and community relations firm located in New York City. In this role, he oversees all business development, and strategic direction of the company. Landon is firm believer in giving back to the community and has been extremely active in his hometown, Harlem, New York. His commitment to the Harlem community was captured on the BET Docushow “Harlem Heights”. The show also chronicled his candidacy for City Council, his community service initiatives and his tenure as President of the Uptown Democratic Club. Landon is active on boards and non-profit committees and participates in many community and youth oriented programs across the country. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Co-Chair of the Finance Committee on the Board of Directors for Preserve Our Legacy.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit that spearheaded Jaden’s Law and educating individuals, especially minorities, about the benefits of stem cells and treatment options they provide through peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation. Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. also partnered with Harlem Hospital in December 2010 to launch the Preserve Our Legacy Umbilical Cord Blood Program, which provides minority pregnant woman the option to donate their umbilical cord blood to assist in increasing the numbers for minorities within the National Registry. The organization recently announced their goal of registering 25,000 minority donors for 2011. These donors would provide thousands of minority patients that are in need, the “fighting” chance to live, especially, 10-year old LJ, 5-year old Nyiah, 13-year old Shakobe, 11-year old Isaiah and various other minority patients throughout America.

Since Jaden’s death, Preserve Our Legacy has been advocating to increase awareness about the need of minority donors, in addition to, having those that register to step up when called to help a patient. This event, which takes place during their 45-day awareness campaign, will assist in spreading the word about the need of minority donors. “Instead of having a big celebrity for my 30th birthday, I would rather organize a fundraiser for P.O.L. that will assist in saving the lives of young children, so they can reach their 30th birthday and beyond.” says, Landon Dais, Preserve Our Legacy Board member.

For event information log onto to: http://www.preserveourlegacy.org
For ticket information log onto: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1437996085

For more event or PR information contact, Shana, For PR contact Lexi, For donation contact Tiffani:

Shana Melius, Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. 877-778-3623 ext 702 or shana.melius@preserveourlegacy.org

Lexi Chow, Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. 877.778.3623 ext 719 or lexi.chow@preservourlegacy.org

Tiffani Hilton, Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. 877.778.3623 ext 704 or tiffani.hilton@preserveourlegacy.org

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New York State Young Democrats Caucus of Color to Co-Sponsor Fundraiser for Preserve Our Legacy, Inc.

2011-03-18T13:16:00.001-07:00

New York State Young Democrats Caucus of Color
To Co-Sponsor Fundraiser for Preserve Our Legacy, Inc.

(New York, NY) The New York State Young Democrats Caucus of Color will co-sponsor a fundraiser for Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. alongside Marvin Bing, Jr., newly elected Preserve Our Legacy board member. Mr. Bing will dedicate his 27th birthday to help raise funds and register minority donors on Friday, April 8, 2011 at Slate Billiard located at 54 21st St. New York, NY 10010.

The New York State Young Democrats Caucus of Color is the official arm for young people of color of the New York State Democratic Party. The Caucus is a vehicle that allows young people of color and those interested in issues that directly affect young people of color to become active in Democratic Party activities.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit that spearheaded Jaden’s Law and educating individuals, especially minorities, about the benefits of stem cells and treatment options they provide through peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation. Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. also partnered with Harlem Hospital in December 2010 to launch the Preserve Our Legacy Umbilical Cord Blood Program, which provides minority pregnant woman the option to donate their umbilical cord blood to assist in increasing the numbers for minorities within the National Registry. The organization recently announced their goal of registering 25,000 minority donors for 2011. These donors would provide thousands of minority patients that are in need, the “fighting” chance to live, especially, 10-year old LJ, 5-year old Nyiah, 13-year old Shakobe, 11-year old Isaiah and various other minority patients throughout America.

Since Jaden’s death, Preserve Our Legacy has been advocating to increase awareness about the need of minority donors, in addition to, having those that register to step up when called to help a patient. This event, which takes place during their 45-day awareness campaign, will assist in spreading the word about the need of minority donors.

For event information log onto to: http://www.preserveourlegacy.org

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Frederick E. Samuel Democrat Club to Host bone marrow drive with Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. 3/19/2011

2011-03-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, March 19, 2011, Preserve Our Legacy will host a bone marrow drive through New York Blood with the Frederick E. Samuel Democratic Club from 11AM - 4PM.

Frederick E. Samuel Community Democratic Club
190 West 135th Street
New York, NY 10030

Email: info@fredsamdemclub.com
Contact: Wilma Brown-Phillips
Phone: (212)234-8879

If you have not registered, please come out to register as a PBSC or bone marrow donor. Just completion of a form and two swabs on each cheeks to become registered. Takes about 7 minutes to complete.

For more information you can also contact us at 877.778.3623.

PRESERVE OUR LEGACY TO HOST DEF JAM RAPSTAR CONTEST

2011-03-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

PRESERVE OUR LEGACY TO HOST DEF JAM RAPSTAR CONTEST DURING
FUNDRAISER & BONE MARROW DRIVE EVENT
Not-for-profit to use hit video game to help fulfill mission
of “edu-taining audience” to register minorities for goal of 25,000 for 2011
April 8, 2011

New York, NY – It was announced today that Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. will host a cash prize contest, with players competing on the hit video game Def Jam Rapstar during its upcoming fundraiser and bone marrow drive event to support Preserve Our Legacy’s mission to “edu-tain” their audience. This event will take place on Friday, April 8, 2011 at Slate Billiard located at 54 21st St. New York, NY 10010.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit that spearheaded Jaden’s Law and educating individuals, especially minorities, about the benefits of stem cells and treatment options they provide through peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation. Harlem Activist Marvin Bing also dedicated his second annual birthday party to help raise funds for Preserve Our Legacy as well as help increase numbers of bone marrow donors for their 2011 goal of 25,000.

Since Jaden’s death, Preserve Our Legacy has been advocating to increase awareness about the need of minority donors, in addition to, having those that register to step up when called to help a patient. “On behalf of Autumn games, we are happy to have one of our games be part of an event that will raise awareness about the benefits of adult stem cells, bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation. We applaud Preserve Our Legacy with their mission and are excited to help make the event as impactful as possible,” says Alex Collmer, CEO and Co-Founder of Autumn Games.

This event, which takes place during their 45-day awareness campaign, will assist in spreading the word about the need of minority donors. “We are excited about this event and we believe this will provide our organization ability to educate our audience throughout the world about the importance of becoming a PBSC, bone marrow, umbilical cord blood donor”, says Brett Melius, Co-Founder and President of Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. The event will be hosted by Power 105.1 Cherry Martinez, who is also the Preserve Our Legacy Media Spokesperson, and the game will be facilitated by Host MC Mike Junke-e. The contest will consist of Best Freestyle $100, Best Rap Song Performed $200, Best Duet $400.

For event information log onto to: http://www.preserveourlegacy.org

For more information contact Shana, Celebrity participants contact Meda, PR contact Lexi or Shyra:
Event info:
Shana Melius, Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. 877-778-3623 ext 702 or shana.melius@preserveourlegacy.org

Celebrity Participants
Meda Leacock, Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. 877-778-3623 ext 707 or shyra.johnson@preserveourlegacy.org

PR
Lexi Chow, Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. 877.778.3623 ext 719 or lexi.chow@preservourlegacy.org or Shyra Johnson ext 718 or shyra.johnson@preserveourlegacy.org.
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One of our supporters sent me this link...VERY INTERESTING...

2011-03-08T19:21:00.000-08:00

"Not only did we find that the NMDP does not aggressively recruit minority donors, but they have put up major obstacles that prevent Matchpia from becoming an official donor recruitment group," commented Hemant Wadhwani, President of the Asian American Political Coalition, "preventing them to receive gover...nment funding for their extensive efforts in supporting the community."

Check out this link: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/11/prweb312888.htm

HARLEM ACTIVIST MARVIN BING DEDICATES BIRTHDAY TO HELP RAISE FUNDS AND REGISTER DONORS FOR PRESERVE OUR LEGACY, INC.

2011-03-08T19:08:00.000-08:00

Partners with Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. to help register minorities
For goal of 25,000 for 2011 on April 8, 2011 at Slate Billiards

New York, NY – It was announced today that Harlem Activist and newly elected Preserve Our Legacy Board member, Marvin Bing, will dedicate his 27th birthday to help raise funds and register minority donors on Friday, April 8, 2011 at Slate Billiard located at 54 21st St. New York, NY 10010.

Marvin Bing, 26, in 2010, was a recipient of New York City Hall 40 under 40 Award. He was also the New York State Director for One Nation Working Together, where he galvanized 300,000 Americans to Washington, DC to fight back the right-wing attacks on Middle Class Americans under the direction of Bill Lynch and George Gresham of 1199 SEIU.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit that spearheaded Jaden’s Law and educating individuals, especially minorities, about the benefits of stem cells and treatment options they provide through peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation. Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. also partnered with Harlem Hospital in December 2010 to launch the Preserve Our Legacy Umbilical Cord Blood Program, which provides minority pregnant woman the option to donate their umbilical cord blood to assist in increasing the numbers for minorities within the National Registry. The organization recently announced their goal of registering 25,000 minority donors for 2011. These donors would provide thousands of minority patients that are in need, the “fighting” chance to live, especially, 10-year old LJ, 5-year old Nyiah, 13-year old Shakobe, 11-year old Isaiah and various other minority patients throughout America.

Since Jaden’s death, Preserve Our Legacy has been advocating to increase awareness about the need of minority donors, in addition to, having those that register to step up when called to help a patient. This event, which takes place during their 45-day awareness campaign, will assist in spreading the word about the need of minority donors. “Young people need to step up in the fight to help steer the next generation, and standing up to help assist the chances to save a life is a pretty great start. This is not a partisan event, but an event where people from all political ideologies can be supportive.” says, Marvin Bing, Preserve Our Legacy Board member.

For event information log onto to: http://www.preserveourlegacy.org

For more information contact:
Shana Melius, Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. 877-778-3623 ext 702 or shana.melius@preserveourlegacy.org

Shyra Johnson, Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. 877-778-3623 ext 718 or shyra.johnson@preserveourlegacy.org

Lexi Chow, Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. 877.778.3623 ext 719 or lexi.chow@preservourlegacy.org

###

CHAMPION BOXER FLOYD MAYWEATHER, RAY J AND MANY MORE CELEBRITIES TEAM UP WITH PRESERVE OUR LEGACY DURING SUPERBOWL WEEKEND

2011-02-01T05:28:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release
February 1, 2011

CHAMPION BOXER FLOYD MAYWEATHER AND R&B SINGER RAY J PLUS CELEBRITY FRIENDS TEAM UP FOR GOT BONE MARROW CHARITY BASKETBALL GAME AT SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 4TH, 2011
Preserve Our Legacy Partners with various Celebrities to create awareness for Daylen Parrish and others during Super Bowl Weekend

New York, NY – It was announced today that Champion Boxer Floyd “Moneymaker” Mayweather, R&B artist / Reality TV Star Ray J, DJ Clue, NFL Star Willis McGahee and other various celebrities will team up with Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. (P.O.L.) to spread awareness about the need for bone marrow donation within the minority community. P.O.L. organization known for implementing Jaden’s Law and advocating for minority patients in need of bone marrow transplants, will host its 2nd Annual Celebrity Charity Basketball Game during 2011 Super Bowl in Dallas, Texas, themed “Got Bone Marrow”. This event will consist of a Celebrity Charity Basketball game and bone marrow registration drive to help save the lives for Fort Worth local 18-month old, Daylen Parrish, 5-year old Nyiah Young, 10-year old LJ Jones and others. Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. recently announced their company’s goal of registering 25,000 minority donors and have them step-up to donate when called to help save lives in 2011. This event will be one of the numerous events P.O.L will host throughout the year.

Daylen Parrish is 18-months old and is suffering from sickle cell anemia. He is in need of a bone marrow transplant. He presently resides in the Fort Worth area and will be one of the local featured children we will be registering minority donors. P.O.L. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit was started by Brett and Shana Melius, after the loss of 3-year old boy named Jaden Hilton, spearheaded Jaden’s Law in New Jersey and New York, which is to increase awareness about PBSC and bone marrow donation within the minority community. The organization’s mission is to educate individuals, especially minorities, about the benefits of stem cells through treatment options provided via PBSC, bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation.

This event will take place at Southern Methodist University (SMU) on February 4, 2011. The teams for this game will be “Sports vs Music”. Players will include members from the NFL for the “Sports” team and Entertainment artists from the music industry for the “Music” team. New Confirmed players include Champion boxer Floyd Mayweather, Antrel Rolle from the NY Giants, Raheem Brock from the Seattle Seahawks, Shaun Smith from the Kansas City Chiefs, Bryan McCann from SMU & Dallas Cowboys, just to name a few. Willis McGahee from Baltimore Ravens will be the Sports team coach. For the music team R&B Artist Ray J, DJ Clue, Promoter Hollywood Chuck, Efani Allah, Former BET 106 & Park host Free, Songwriter Rico Love and many more to come. If you are interested in participating as a player, contact Meda Leacock. Radio advertising support from both local stations 97.9 The Beat and K104 all to help save Daylen Parrish and many other minority patients lives.

Event Details
Location: Southern Methodist University –6024 Airline Rd. Dallas, Texas
Time: 6:30 pm- 8:30pm
Tickets: $10 in advance, more at the door
$30 in advance, more at the door

For tickets gotbonemarrow.eventbrite.com or www.gotbonemarrow.com

For Game, Media or Player info Contact Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. 877.778.3623:
Event Info Brett Melius, ext 703 or email Media info Shana Melius, ext 702 or shana.melius@preserveourlegacy.org, Player info, Meda Leacock, ext 707 or meda.leacock@preserveourlegacy.org.

About SMU
SMU is a private university of 11,000 students near the center of Dallas and offers strong undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs through seven schools — in the humanities and sciences; business; the performing, visual, and communication arts; engineering; education and human development; law; and theology. The venue for the game will be held at Moody Coliseum, which was the site of the Southwest Conference Post-Season Classic in 1976, hosted NCAA Regional tournament games and the NABC College Basketball All-Star Game during the 1986 Final Four held in Dallas.
###

Got Bone Marrow for LJ? Dipset's Freekey Zekey and Industry Publicist Lexi Chow will help P.O.L register bone marrow donors for 10-year old "LJ"

2010-10-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Shana Melius
Mac-Melius Agency, Inc.
P: 888-762-2635 ext 705
F: 718.425.8983
mac@mac-melius.com

GOT BONE MARROW?
DIPSET’S FREEKEY ZEKEY & INDUSTRY PUBLICIST LEXI CHOW
WILL HELP REGISTER DONORS
WITH PRESERVE OUR LEGACY, INC
FOR 10-YEAR OLD LLOYD “LJ” JONES IN HARLEM
OCTOBER 14, 2010

New York, N.Y.- (October 11, 2010)- It was announced today that Harlem Assemblyman Keith L. Wright will help Preserve Our Legacy, Inc in registering bone marrow donors for 10-year old Lloyd “LJ” Jones in Harlem at the NYC Mission Society located at 646 Lenox Ave/Malcolm X Blvd. from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. will
also premiere the first PSA commercial for New Jersey bill, “Jaden’s Law”.

Match for “LJ”
Preserve Our Legacy, Inc./Marrow Nation will register donors for 10-year old, Lloyd “LJ” Jones with the NMDP/BE THE MATCH. LJ is a native New Yorker, but his family relocated to Tampa, FL and his present illness is one of the
rarest forms of cancer. In fact, LJ is the first child diagnosed with this disease, all others have been adults. He is currently undergoing treatment at Snyder’s Children in New York and St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa, FL.
Follow LJ on Twitter @match4LJ.

Freekey Zekey & Lexi Chow
Freekey Zekey is an African-American rapper best known as a founding member of the The Diplomats & Owner/CEO of 730 Dips Records. He is presently the president for Diplomat Records. Lexi Chow is an industry publicist with a full service boutique entertainment and lifestyle firm called Lexi Chow PR & Co.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. (P.O.L.)
P.O.L’s mission is to educate individuals, especially minorities, about the benefits of stem cells and treatment options they provide for health disparities. In 2006, the founders of MMA, Brett and Shana Melius met then 2-year old Jaden Hilton. At the time, Jaden was battling Leukemia, which inspired MMA to begin working with DKMS to find a donorfor Jaden. Despite their efforts, Jaden lost his battle with Leukemia on January 29, 2007. In an effort to fulfill the mission of educating minorities, Jaden’s Law was created. Jaden’s Law was established in New Jersey on May 20,
2010. P.O.L partners with various organizations to increase awareness within the community. More Celebs to join Preserve Our Legacy, Inc’s. efforts.

GOT BONE MARROW FOR LJ?
Date: October 14, 2010
Location: 646 Lenox Ave./Malcolm X Blvd.
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

For interviews, volunteering, donating or information about P.O.L contact Shana Melius at mac@mac-melius.com or 888-762-2635 ext 705 or log on to www.preserveourlegacy.org. For more information about LJ contact Marrow Nation:
www.marrownation.com/LJ-s-Story.html. For information about Freekey Zekey or Lexi Chow contact Lexi Chow at 718-598-7289. To view Jaden’s Law New Jersey State: www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp or Jaden’s Law New York State:
assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A11610.
###

GOT BONE MARROW FOR LJ?

2010-10-11T05:52:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Shana Melius
Mac-Melius Agency, Inc.
P: 888-762-2635 ext 705
F: 718.425.8983
mac@mac-melius.com

GOT BONE MARROW?
HARLEM ASSEMBLYMAN KEITH L. WRIGHT
WILL HELP REGISTER DONORS
WITH PRESERVE OUR LEGACY, INC
FOR 10-YEAR OLD LLOYD “LJ” JONES IN HARLEM
OCTOBER 14, 2010

New York, N.Y.- (October 8, 2010)- It was announced today that Harlem Assemblyman Keith L. Wright will help Preserve Our Legacy, Inc in registering bone marrow donors for 10-year old Lloyd “LJ” Jones in Harlem at the NYC Mission Society located at 646 Lenox Ave/Malcolm X Blvd. from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. will also premiere the first PSA commercial for New Jersey bill, “Jaden’s Law”.

Match for “LJ”
Preserve Our Legacy, Inc./Marrow Nation will register donors for 10-year old, Lloyd “LJ” Jones with the NMDP/BE THE MATCH. LJ is a native New Yorker, but his family relocated to Tampa, FL and his present illness is one of the rarest forms of cancer. In fact, LJ is the first child diagnosed with this disease, all others have been adults. He is currently undergoing treatment at Snyder’s Children in New York and St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa, FL. Follow LJ on Twitter @match4LJ.

Assemblyman Keith L. Wright- A11610 Jaden’s Law- New York
Assemblyman Keith L. Wright introduced Jaden’s Law New York on June 30, 2010. Jaden’s Law New York is an act to amend the public health law, in relation to providing for the creation and dissemination of information pertaining to bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation; to amend the public health law, the election law and the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation registration.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. (P.O.L.)
P.O.L’s mission is to educate individuals, especially minorities, about the benefits of stem cells and treatment options they provide for health disparities. In 2006, the founders of MMA, Brett and Shana Melius met then 2-year old Jaden Hilton. At the time, Jaden was battling Leukemia, which inspired MMA to begin working with DKMS to find a donor for Jaden. Despite their efforts, Jaden lost his battle with Leukemia on January 29, 2007. In an effort to fulfill the mission of educating minorities, Jaden’s Law was created. Jaden’s Law was established in New Jersey on May 20, 2010. P.O.L partners with various organizations to increase awareness within the community. More Celebs to join Preserve Our Legacy, Inc’s. efforts.

GOT BONE MARROW FOR LJ?

Date: October 14, 2010
Location: 646 Lenox Ave./Malcolm X Blvd.
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

For interviews, volunteering, donating or information about P.O.L contact Shana Melius at mac@mac-melius.com or 888-762-2635 ext 705 or log on to www.preserveourlegacy.org. For more information about LJ contact Marrow Nation: www.marrownation.com/LJ-s-Story.html. For information about Assemblyman Keith Wright contact his Chief of Staff, Jeanine Johnson at 212.866.5809 or assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=070. To view Jaden’s Law New Jersey State: www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp or Jaden’s Law New York State: assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A11610.

###

Hip-Hop, Health and Education Weekend- Clark Atlanta University

2010-09-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Shana Melius
Mac-Melius Agency, Inc.
P: 888-762-2635 ext 705
F: 718.425.8983
mac@mac-melius.com

PRESERVE OUR LEGACY, INC & LIVE-N-DIRECT MULTIMEDIA
TO PARTNER WITH
CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY
FOR
HIP-HOP, HEALTH & EDUCATION WEEKEND
DURING CAU HOMECOMING

New York, N.Y.-(September 14, 2010)- It was announced today that Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. and Live-N- Direct Multimedia will partner with Clark Atlanta University during the homecoming in Atlanta, Ga from September 30- October 3, 2010. These four days of events will consist of a bone marrow drive for 10-year old Lloyd “LJ” Jones, a film premiere of “Follow The Leader”, a documentary about education and hip-hop with mini Hip-Hop & R&B Concert with surprise guest performances. Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. will premiere the first PSA commercial for New Jersey bill, “Jaden’s Law”.
Preserve Our Legacy, Inc.
P.O.L’s mission is to educate individuals, especially minorities, about the benefits of stem cells and treatment options they provide for health disparities. In 2006, the founders of MMA, Brett and Shana Melius met then 2-year old Jaden Hilton. At the time, Jaden was battling Leukemia, which inspired MMA to begin working with DKMS to find a donor for Jaden. Despite their efforts, Jaden lost his battle with Leukemia on January 29, 2007. In an effort to fulfill the mission of educating minorities, Jaden’s Law was created. P.O.L partners with various organizations to increase awareness within the community.

Live-N-Direct Multimedia
LIVE-N-DIRECT is an online media company that specializes in producing entertainment events nationwide. LIVE-N-DIRECT TV and LIVE-N-DIRECT MULTIMEDIA has covered and produced major events for the Superbowl, NBA All-Star weekend and The Grammy’s. They have worked with various musical artists such as Rick Ross, Trey Songz, Chrisette Michele, Maxwell, Akon and R. Kelly. For more information log on to: www.livendirect.tv
Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University was formed in 1988 as a result of the consolidation of two independent historically black institutions--- Atlanta University (1865) and Clark College (1869), is a private coeducational, residential and comprehensive urban research university.

Hip-Hop, Health & Education Weekend
This will be a “Celebrity Give-a-way” weekend during the CAU Homecoming weekend. We will register donors for 10-year old Lloyd “LJ” Jones. Provide 50 free haircuts for boys ranging from 13-20 and 20 makeovers for girls ranging from 13-20 years old and much more.

BE THE MATCH Donor Drive
For 4-days we will register donors for 10-year old, Lloyd “LJ” Jones with NMDP/BE THE MATCH. LJ's illness is one of the rarest forms of cancer. In fact LJ is the first child diagnosed with this disease. All others have been adults. He is currently undergoing treatment at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa, FL. For more information about LJ contact Marrow Nation: http://www.marrownation.com/LJ-s-Story.html

Film Premiere
Follow The Leader will premiere a 15 minute film-short and documentary on education and educating minorities in some of the roughest schools in the country that is plagued with increased drop-out rates, drugs and gang violence. There will also be a panel discussion afterwards that relates to the film that will include educators, political figures, music and film executives and more.

Mini Hip-Hop & R&B Concert
The performances on October 3rd at Clark Atlanta University will be hosted by Grammy Award winner, Def Jam recording artist Chrisette Michele and will include several surprise guest appearances by some of today’s hottest Hip-Hop and R&B artists.

For more interviews or information about P.O.L contact Shana Melius at mac@mac-melius.com or 888-762-2635 ext 705 or log on to www.preserveourlegacy.org. For more information about Live-N-Direct Multimedia contact Jerry Bagley at jerry@livendirect.tv or 718-866-6729.
###

September 25, 2010- Bone Marrow Drive for Taylor John in ATL!!!

2010-08-15T05:47:00.000-07:00

Preserve Our Legacy will be hosting a bone marrow drive for 15 year old Taylor John! Taylor is battling sickle cell anemia. Did you know that stem cells can cure sickle cell anemia?!?
Stay tuned for the updates!!!
#jadenslaw #bethematch #P.O.L.didyouknow

Harlem week 2010

2010-08-15T05:27:00.000-07:00

Today is the Health Fair during Harlem Week. My husband, Brett and I attended yesterday. There are atleast 2 million people that attend each year. We spoke to various people. Many read the story about Jaden. On January 29, 2007, We made a promise, to Rodney and his wife Sharifah, that NO family will ever have to go through this! Today, Tiffani Hilton, My husband and myself will attend and host another bone marrow drive for the NMDP! Each donor drive we get closer to saving someone's life and registering more people. The way I look at, if we add more individuals, especially minorities, to the registry the more likely someone will find a donor match! That next registeree could #bethematch for someone!
#jadenslaw worldwide!!!

ASSEMBLYMAN KEITH L. WRIGHT TO REGISTER BONE MARROW DONORS FOR 11-YEAR OLD SHANNON TAVAREZ

2010-07-27T06:34:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Shana Melius
Preserve Our Legacy, Inc
P: 877.778.3623 ext 702
F: 718.425.8983
shana.melius@preserveourlegacy.org

ASSEMBLYMAN KEITH L. WRIGHT
TO REGISTER BONE MARROW DONORS
FOR
11-YEAR OLD SHANNON TAVAREZ
AT HARLEM CHILDREN’S ZONE
JULY 31, 2010

New York, N.Y.-(July 27, 2010)- It was announced today that Assemblyman Keith L. Wright will assist Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. and Icla Da Silva Foundation in registering bone marrow donors at Harlem Children’s Zone on July 31, 2010, from 12:00 pm-5:00 pm.
Shannon Tavarez
11-year old Shannon Tavarez, who was performing as Young Nala in “The Lion King on Broadway”, was diagnosed with AML Leukemia and is fighting her cancer with daily chemo treatments. She is in need of a life-saving bone marrow donor drive. Shannon is Dominican and African-American. Therefore, it will be harder for her to find a donor. Presently, Hispanics represent 9%, African-Americans represent 8%, while Caucasians represent close to 80% of the National Registry.

Icla da Silva Foundation
The Icla da Silva Foundation, a nonprofit organization under section 501(c) 3 of the IRS Code, was established in June of 1992 after the death of Icla da Silva, a thirteen-year-old Brazilian girl who had leukemia. She died after intense efforts by her family, friends and neighbors to find a matching donor.
The mission of the Icla da Silva Foundation is to save lives by recruiting bone marrow donors and by providing support services to children and adults with leukemia and other diseases treatable by marrow transplants. Icla da Silva is the largest Recruitment Center for the Be The Match Registry.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc.
P.O.L’s mission is to educate minorities about the benefits of stem cells and treatment options they provide for health disparities. In 2006, the founders of MMA, Brett and Shana Melius met then 2-year old Jaden Hilton. At the time, Jaden was battling Leukemia, which inspired MMA to begin working with DKMS to find a donor for Jaden. Despite their efforts, Jaden lost his battle with Leukemia on January 29, 2007. After this devastating loss, MMA, Inc. heightened its efforts to build awareness especially amongst minorities about the need for those who are affected by leukemia, sickle cell anemia, heart disease, diabetes and other diseases at higher rates throughout the US. In an effort to fulfill the mission of educating minorities, Jaden’s Law was formed. P.O.L partners with various organizations to increase awareness within the community.

Jaden’s Law
This bill, which is designated as Jaden’s Law, is designed to promote awareness among patients of their option to become bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors. This bill will help increase awareness within the minority community to increase the numbers within the National Registry.

Jaden’s Law passed on the New Jersey Assembly on May 20, 2010 and on the New Jersey Senate on June 10, 2010. New York Assemblyman Keith L. Wright introduced Jaden’s Law in New York in July 2010. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A11610.

Donor Drive

Location: Harlem Children Zone, 35 E 125th St, Cafeteria, NY, NY 10035
Date: July 31, 2010
Time: 12:00 PM-5:00 PM
Donation: Just a swab on both cheeks, complete in 3 minutes

Celebrities that registered as bone marrow donors:
http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/50-cent-and-tony-yayo-register

For more interviews or information about P.O.L contact Shana Melius at 877.778.3623 ext 702 or log on to www.preserveourlegacy.org. For more information about Icla da Silva contact Airam da Silva at 888.638.2870 or www.icla.org.
###

P.O.L & ICLA DA SILVA FOUNDTION TO HOST BONE MARROW DRIVE FOR SHANNON TAVAREZ at HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE ON JULY 31, 2010

2010-07-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

Our organization started after the devastating lost of our friends, 3-year old son, Jaden Hilton (photo enclosed in presentation). Jaden was diagnosed with leukemia in April of 2006, in which he needed a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately for Jaden, his parents and his brother were not a match, nor was anyone in his family. We needed to find Jaden an unrelated donor. In 2006, African-Americans only represented 4% of the registry. Presently, Hispanics represent 9%, African-Americans represent 8%, Asians represent 7%, while Caucasians represent more than 70% of the NMDP/Be The Match Registry. Because we could not find him a match, Jaden lost his battle to leukemia on January 29, 2007. After his death, we made it our life's mission to educate minority about the benefits of stem cells and treatment options they provide through peripheral blood stem cells, bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation. We have also established legislation in New Jersey. It is New Jersey Bill A2168/S2038- Jaden's Law. Our bill has also been introduced by Assemblyman Keith L. Wright in New York in July 2010. It is New York A11610- Jaden's Law. Our goal is to have NYA11610-Jaden's Law passed in 2011, considering that the sessions ended the day of our bills introduction. We are also in the works with Congressman Charles Rangel to establish throughout the nation, Jaden's Law, as a federal bill. I have enclosed a presentation about Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. We are also launching the P.O.L. Umbilical cord blood program at Harlem Hospital OB/GYN Clinic in September 2010, which is led by Dr. Edgar Mandeville, Director of OB/GYN. This program will increase umbilical cord blood donation within the minority community, ultimately, increase the percentages in the National Registry.

Shannon is only 11 years old and she is fighting for her life. She was recently diagnosed with leukemia, and needs a marrow transplant from a 100% Match in order to survive.

Unfortunately, Shannon and many other patients like her are still searching for their life saving matches. Shannon has the best chance of finding a match within her Dominican and African American heritage.

You can also register online: http://join.marrow.org/Shannon or they can go to BeTheMatch.org and use Promo Code: Shannon
#jadenslaw

NJ Senate Bill S2038- Jaden's Law

2010-06-07T13:29:00.000-07:00

Today was a historical day. We spoke to the Senate about adopting Jaden's Law in New Jersey. Jaden's Parents, his grandfather and myself spoke to the Senate about the need to establish bill. "We do not want another family to experience a loss such as ours, this bill will eliminate other Jaden's from dying," says Rodney Hilton. This was an extremely emotional day.

Jaden's Law will embark on records of increase within the National Registry. This bill is the first bill in American that encourages doctors to inform patients about their bone marrow donor options with an online brochure that answers common questions as well as explains the procedure.

I Thank GOD for this!!!
Shana Melius, Co-Founder Preserve Our Legacy, Inc.

NJ BILL 2168- JADEN'S LAW

2010-06-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

AN ACT concerning bone marrow donation 1 and designated as
Jaden’s Law, and supplementing Titles 26 and 45 of the Revised
Statutes.

BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State
of New Jersey:

1. a. The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services shall
prepare an online brochure for display on the Internet website of the
Department of Health and Senior Services, based upon information
derived from the National Marrow Donor Program, or NMDP,
which may be downloaded by physicians for the purposes of section
2 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this act),
and shall be designed to inform patients of the option to become a
bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell, or PBSC, donor by
registering with the NMDP and to answer common questions about
bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell, or PBSC, donation.
b. The brochure shall describe:
(1) the health benefits to the community from making a bone
marrow or PBSC donation through the NMDP;
(2) how to register with the NMDP;
(3) the procedures for making a bone marrow or PBSC donation
through the NMDP, including notice that there is no charge to the
donor or the donor’s family for making the donation;
(4) the circumstances and procedures by which a patient may
receive a transfusion of the patient’s previously donated blood; and
(5) any other aspects of bone marrow or PBSC donation that the
commissioner deems appropriate for the purposes of this act.

2. a. A physician, as early as practicable in the physician’s
therapeutic relationship with a patient and unless the physician
reasonably believes that bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell,
or PBSC, donation would threaten the health of the patient, shall
provide a copy of the brochure prepared by the Commissioner of
Health and Senior Services pursuant to section 1 of
P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this act) to
every patient:
(1) who is known by the physician to be at least 18 years of age
but no older than 60 years of age; and
(2) who the physician anticipates will be admitted to a hospital
for an elective orthopedic procedure or treatment or otherwise
believes is an appropriate candidate for bone marrow or PBSC
donation; or for whom the physician otherwise believes bone
marrow or PBSC donation is appropriate to the patient’s medical
circumstances or is desired by the patient.
The physician shall offer to discuss the information contained in
the brochure with the patient.
b. The provisions of subsection a. of this section shall not be

construed to apply to a physician who is directly 1 affiliated with a
religious denomination that adheres to the tenet that bone marrow
or PBSC transfer is contrary to the moral principles which the
denomination considers to be an essential part of its beliefs and
practices.

3. This act shall take effect on the 90th day following
enactment.

STATEMENT

This bill, which is designated as Jaden’s Law, is designed to
promote awareness among patients of their option to become bone
marrow and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors.

The bill provides specifically as follows:

• The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services is to prepare an
online brochure for display on the Internet website of the
Department of Health and Senior Services, based upon
information derived from the National Marrow Donor Program,
or NMDP, which may be downloaded by physicians for the
purposes of this bill, and is to be designed to inform patients of
the option to become a bone marrow or peripheral blood stem
cell, or PBSC, donor by registering with the NMDP and to answer
common questions about bone marrow and peripheral blood stem
cell, or PBSC, donation.

• The brochure is to describe:
-- the health benefits to the community from making a bone
marrow or PBSC donation through the NMDP;
-- how to register with the NMDP;
-- the procedures for making a bone marrow or PBSC donation
through the NMDP, including notice that there is no charge to the
donor or the donor’s family for making the donation;
-- the circumstances and procedures by which a patient may
receive a transfusion of the patient’s previously donated blood; and
-- any other aspects of bone marrow or PBSC donation that the
commissioner deems appropriate for the purposes of the bill.

• A physician, as early as practicable in the physician’s therapeutic
relationship with a patient and unless the physician reasonably
believes that bone marrow or PBSC donation would threaten the
health of the patient, is directed to provide a copy of the brochure
prepared by the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services
pursuant to this bill to every patient:
-- who is known by the physician to be at least 18 years of age
but no older than 60 years of age; and
-- who the physician anticipates will be admitted to a hospital
for an elective orthopedic procedure or treatment or otherwise
believes is an appropriate candidate for bone marrow or PBSC

donation; or for whom the physician otherwise 1 believes bone
marrow or PBSC donation is appropriate to the patient’s medical
circumstances or is desired by the patient.

• The physician is further directed to offer to discuss the
information contained in the brochure with the patient.

• The provisions of this bill are not to be construed to apply to a
physician who is directly affiliated with a religious denomination
that adheres to the tenet that bone marrow or PBSC transfer is
contrary to the moral principles which the denomination
considers to be an essential part of its beliefs and practices.
• The bill takes effect on the 90th day following enactment

JUNE IS STEM CELL MONTH....STEM CELL FACT OF TODAY

2010-06-04T06:50:00.000-07:00

WOW and Thank you GOD! Is really all I can say. I mean we have had so much progress in such a short time. The only person we really can thank is GOD. First thing first...JADEN'S LAW passed in the New Jersey Assembly. We are presently working on the Senate side. This will be introduced by Senator Teresa Ruiz. We are working on getting Jaden's Law established, therefore, some of our events will be postponed. Our Atlanta, GA date has moved to September 25, 2010.

Throughout this month we will be providing you stem cell facts:

Stem Cell Fact #1
What are Stem Cells?

They are cells that can develop into many different cell types in the body. They also are considered as an internal repair system of the body's healing mechanism, considering, they divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the living organism is alive.

My answered Uncle's Prayer

2010-02-28T04:04:00.000-08:00

On Friday, my uncle stop fighting his battle with cancer. He died from Colon cancer. It spread all over his body. His final days they said it spread to his brain. I just keep hearing him say that "he just wanted to die and why was he still suffering". I could not stop fighting my tears when I prayed with him to God asking to release him from his pain on Tuesday. By Wednesday, it was my mission that he be at a better location for his transition. I worked aimlessly to have him moved from that crazy DeWitt nursing home to Calvary. I last saw him on Wednesday night. I had planned to come on Thursday, but the snow just would not let me do it. He died on Friday morning. I was going to call him...I regret I did not. I just couldn't get up the nerve to tell him that the snow made it difficult to drive. His last call of his life was at 9:58am when he wished my Aunt Happy Birthday. He expired around 10:20 am.

Unfortunately, many minority men do not get themselves checked out. At the age of 35, they should have their prostate and colon checked. Many of their issues result from their diet. When I speak to men and ask about getting these check ups; They speak of their ancestors and how long they lived. I have to remind them most of the food ingredients for the food, during that time, is different from what is used today. In addition, During that time many prepared their own food, especially in the south. They killed the cow or pig or whatever, they seasoned it and cooked it. So if you know a male over 35 make sure you tell him to get himself checked out!!

Life

2010-02-11T05:47:00.000-08:00

Each day many of us wake up with various worries about our finances, our relationships with loved ones, our cars, what we are going to eat or even what we are going to where. But think about it realistically. We really do not have worries compared to many of individuals who are in need of a donor match and know that their days may be numbered. Some of children that have not really made it past a first birthday. So when this comes to mind...do you really have any worries about your life??

HARLEM BONE MARROW DRIVE-2/25/10

2010-02-03T15:27:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Shana Melius
Preserve Our Legacy, Inc
P: 877.778.3623 ext 702
F: 718.425.8983
shana.mac@preserveourlegacy.org

PRESERVE OUR LEGACY TO PARTNER WITH DKMS AMERICAS
TO HOST BONE MARROW DONOR DRIVE
FOR SEUN ADEBIYI IN HARLEM
FEBRUARY 25, 2010

New York, N.Y.-(February 2, 2010)- It was announced today that Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. will partner with DKMS Americas to host donor drives for Seun Adebiyi in Harlem, NY at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building in the Art Gallery on the second floor located at 125th and Adam Clayton Blvd in New York from 4:00 pm-9:00pm.

Seun Adebiyi
Seun is Nigerian and graduated from Yale Law School in June 2009. Seun is also an aspiring Olympian. A few weeks after graduation, he was diagnosed with leukemia and to help to cure this disease he needed a bone marrow transplant. No one in his family was a matched, therefore, he needs to find an unrelated donor. Due to the lack of minorities in the National Marrow Registry, there is presently no available donor. Now we are trying to find him a donor and we need your help. To read Seun’s blog log on to: http://nigeria2014.wordpress.com.

DKMS Americas
DKMS Americas is an accredited (by the Be The Match Registry) national bone marrow donor center. DKMS works to expand bone marrow donor registries by recruiting bone marrow donors from every race and ethnicity, in order to provide leukemia and other blood cancer patients in need of a bone marrow transplant with the best available donor match. DKMS also coordinates the transport of bone marrow and blood stem cells from Germany to the U.S. for patients here in need of bone marrow transplants. Through our efforts, DKMS Americas has registered over 125,000 donors, and more than 155 DKMS (Americas) donors have gone on to donate their bone marrow. There is still more work to do as only 4 out of 10 people will receive a life-saving transplant. Therefore, we need your help. For more information about DKMS, log on to www.dkmsamericas.org.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. (P.O.L.)
In 2006, DKMS informed Greg Marius, EBC founder and former EBC publicist Shana Melius about then 2-year old Jaden Hilton needed to find a donor. Through various efforts they both tried to register donors. Due to the lack of registrants, Jaden lost his battle because he could not find an unrelated donor on January 29, 2007. On January 30, 2007, Preserve Our Legacy was formed. Therefore, the birth of “The Jaden Hilton Initiative”, which is to increase awareness about the lack of minorities in the National Registry and to create awareness about health disparities as well as stem cell treatment options offered through bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. will continue to partner with various organizations to assist in creating awareness about the need of minority donors as well as assisting in finding a donor match for those in need. For more information, media or to request interviews contact us at 1.877.778.3623, Shana Melius, ext 702. For DKMS contact Alina Suprunova at 212.209.6703.

Newark Bone Marrow Drive

2010-02-03T15:22:00.000-08:00

New York, N.Y.-(February 2, 2010)- It was announced today that Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. and Councilman Donald Payne, Jr. will host donor drive on February 18, 2010 with Be The Match Registry for those in need Newark City Hall Ground Floor from 12:00 pm-5:00 pm.

Newark Councilman Donald Payne, Jr.
Newark Municipal Councilman-at-Large Donald Payne Jr., a lifelong Newark resident, comes from a family of distinguished individuals dedicated to public service, including his father, the esteemed Congressman Donald Payne, Sr. Councilman Payne has been a South Ward district leader for 20 years. Also serving as Essex County Freeholder-at-large, Payne seeks to provide the people of Newark and Essex County with continuity between county and municipal governments in an effort to minimize bureaucratic red tape and expedite crucial services needed by the people. As Councilman-at-Large, Payne has faithfully championed the issues of his constituency; he also sits on the Health, Education and Recreation Committees of the Newark Municipal Council.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. (P.O.L.)
In 2006, DKMS informed Greg Marius, EBC founder and former EBC publicist Shana Melius about then 2-year old Jaden Hilton needed to find a donor. Through various efforts they both tried to register donors. Because no one in his family was a match and due to the lack of minority donors, Jaden lost his battle to leukemia on January 29, 2007. On January 30, 2007, the birth of Preserve Our Legacy and “The Jaden Hilton Initiative”, which is to increase awareness about the lack of minorities in the National Registry and to create awareness about stem cells as well as treatment options provide via bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) and umbilical cord donation.

Be The Match Registry
We will be hosting the drive through Be The Match Registry. The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and our Be The Match Foundation are non-profit organizations dedicated to creating an opportunity for all patients to receive the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant they need, when they need it.

Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. will continue to partner with various organizations to assist in creating awareness about the need of minority donors as well as assisting in finding a donor match for those in need. For more information, media or to request interviews contact us at 1.877.778.3623, Shana Melius, ext 702.

Jasmina Amena

2010-02-03T15:09:00.001-08:00

It has been a few days but our heart goes out to her family. This is why it is so important for everyone to notify someone about the TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCE that minorities face due to the lack of donors. Jasmina, like Jaden, lost her battle because she could not find an unrelated match. Please be clear. This could have been prevented. That is why, until my dying day, I will educate as many people as I can about the need for minority donors. As well as informing them about stem cells and treatment options they provide via bone marrow, peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood donation.

RIP JASMINA

Our first PSA

2010-01-21T18:16:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnJP1JiN8cI

Above is our first PSA for Jaden's Law, please look at it and review your inform as people as you know about this! PSSST Pass it on!!!

Trip to Albany

2010-01-20T06:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a historic one! I would first like to thank Assemblyman Keith Wright and Jeanne Johnson for their support for Jaden's Law. We have started the ball rolling for the Jaden Hilton Initiative- Jaden's Law. Our goal is to save millions of lives. This bill will educate millions on the benefits of stem cells and demystify what stem cells are.
What was once unknown, will be come KNOWN!
-Mac

Jaden's Law

2010-01-16T15:32:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year...2010. In the next few weeks you will begin to hear more about Jaden's Law. I suggest you find out everything you can about it. Everyday we get a little older and we never know what we will need one day. Jaden's Law will provide you some assurance that if you do get sick you will have an option. Jaden Hilton was 3-years old when he lost his battle to leukemia due to the fact that he could not find an unrelated match. Jaden was an African-American, which means that only 8% of the National Registry was available to him. No one was a match and he is no longer here. But his memory lives on to encourage us to establish this bill in states across the country. This bill will encourage one of our programs to be implemented in hospitals located in heavily minority populated areas. Doctors and hospitals will notify patients via a consent form. Stay TUNED...

Stem Cells

2009-12-28T14:58:00.001-08:00

As the year ends...technology improves more and more. Please grasp an understanding about stem cells. As well as know the difference between the adult and embryonic stem cells. As we move into a new decade treatment options will be available to you. Do you research and know what works for you and how it can help you.

Preserve Our Legacy NJ PSA

2009-12-19T04:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we filmed our PSA. If you live in NJ you should be able to see it after February 1, 2010. Our mission is to increase awareness within the minority community. We provide percentage information that is extremely useful. Did you know that Hispanics only represent 9% of the total population for donors, African-Americans only represent 8% of the total population, while Caucasians represent more than 80%. We need everyone to create awareness about this. Increasing donation can save millions of lives.

Jen Austin

2009-12-13T11:31:00.000-08:00

Today they featured Jen's story. We were contacted by a few people to try to help to find her a donor. It is so important that minorities register as a bone marrow and umbilical cord donor. Our mission by the next year this time millions of minorities will be informed about the need. If you want to find about a donor drive near you please check out: www.savejenaustin.com. This is why Jaden's Law is so important!!!

Jaden's Law walk 2010

2009-12-12T11:55:00.000-08:00

Today more than ever it is important that we inform as many minorities as possible about bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation. These resources provide the needed stem cells for those in need of transplants. Just think there are 4 million births a year, if we had only 10% of minority women donate their umbilical cord blood, we will increase the national registry by 400,000. Jaden's Law Walk will create awareness throughout minority populated cities in 2010 through a series of walk-a-thons. If you are interested in participating, please let me know. Contact me via email shanamac22@ymail.com