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

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

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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