By Brooke Brinson
It was a family affair as Howard University student athletes, cheerleaders, SHOWTIME marching band and Royal Court built awareness around the importance of African Americans joining registration lists for life-saving bone marrow and stem cell transplants.
Good Morning America and local ABC7News health reporter Victoria Sanchez broadcast live from Burr Gymnasium, one of several locations around the country hosting events for Be the Match, the national organization that seeks to match donors with patients.
The broadcast featured boisterous music from the HU Showtime Marching Band, performances from the Ooh La La Danceline, Dazzlin Diamond Twirlers, and the HU cheerleaders. Members of the football, lacrosse, and volleyball teams, Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, also added their energy for the morning shows live shot’s with the goal of promoting awareness for this important cause.
With a simple 20-second swab of the cheek, Be The Match is on a mission to get more potential donors. Having more African Americans listed on the registry is extremely important. According to the organization, African Americans suffering from conditions affecting blood cells like cancer and other blood diseases have the lowest chance of finding a match. The match rate for African Americans is an alarming 29%, compared to 79% for White Americans. Only 8% of the donor registration list is made up of African Americans.
Over the week, Be the Match volunteers set up tables at Blackburn and the Undergraduate Library to build awareness and encourage students to consider registration. Be the Match organizers said 173 Howard students were swabbed and signed up for the registration list.
