Harold “Maurice” Broadwater, age 42, is a loving husband and father of two, and is battling Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Maurice’s only chance for survival is a bone marrow transplant, but there are currently no matches for him on the donor registry. This is a tragic reality many African American and other minority patients face because these groups are underrepresented on the registry.
Since tissue characteristics are inherited, a patient will likely find a compatible donor within their own ethnic
group.
Of the 7 million donors registered in the United States, only 8% identify as black or African American. 83% of
African American patients will not get the transplant that they need largely because there are not enough
African American bone marrow donors registered. Maurice’s family and friends have chosen to do something
about the dearth of donors, and are organizing a bone marrow donor drive with DKMS, the world’s largest
bone marrow donor center. Over 20 volunteers, led by Maurice’s mother, Paulette Dunlap, have been working
tirelessly to make this donor drive happen in Syracuse.
According to Paulette, “Any type of Leukemia devastates the whole family. More African American donors are needed. There are minorities out there in great need of a bone marrow transplant and can’t find a donor. That cheek swab from someone could save a life. Come out on Nov. 14 and consider giving the greatest gift of all: A second chance at life.”
We need you! Every day thousands of patients search the national registry in hope for a bone marrow donor
match. Only 3 out of 10 patients are lucky enough to receive a transplant. “I lost my mother to leukemia when I
was 14,” said Katharina Harf, Co-founder, DKMS Americas, “and I have made it my mission to recruit more
donors so that other families don’t have to go through the pain we did.” “We need your help so we can save
more lives.”
Registering to become a bone marrow donor is more than a cheek swab; it is a commitment to help save a life.
You must be between 18 and 55 and in good general health.
When you register with DKMS, you will also be
listed on the national Be The Match Registry and can be found as a donor match for any patient in need of a
bone marrow transplant.
Every dollar counts! DKMS needs your dollars to finance the $65 registration cost. Consider making a taxdeductible contribution online or at the donor drive!
About DKMS
The DKMS mission is to save lives by recruiting bone marrow donors for leukemia patients. More than 18,500
DKMS donors have helped save lives by donating their bone marrow. DKMS is the largest and most
experienced bone marrow donor center in the world with over 2 million registered donors. DKMS Americas is a
501 (c)(3) non profit organization.
For more information about DKMS and to learn more about registering as a bone marrow donor, visit
dkmsamericas.org
Contact: Amanda Nable, DKMS Donor Recruitment, 212.209.6704, Amanda@dkmsamericas.org
REGISTER AS A BONE MARROW DONOR
Syracuse, NY
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009,
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chrysler Union Hall
624 E. Manlius St
