New York, N.Y.- It was announced today that the grass-root 501 (c) not-for-profit organization, Preserve our Legacy, Inc. will host a series of walk-a-thons, nationally, to increase awareness about stem cells and benefits stem cells provide for treatment options for various health disparities, the lack of minority donors and Jaden’s Law for stem cell month, June 2010.
Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. (P.O.L.)
Preserve Our Legacy was formed after the devastating loss of three-year old, Jaden Hilton. Jaden lost his battle because he could not find an unrelated donor. Therefore, begin the birth of “The Jaden Hilton Initiative”, which is to increase awareness about the lack of minority within the NMDP National Registry and to create awareness about health disparities as well as stem cell treatment options offered through bone marrow donation and umbilical cord donation. The goal is to mentor, educate and inform the minority community about the benefits that adult stem cell treatments provide for health disparities. Adult Stem Cells are collected through umbilical cord donation, after a mother’s gives birth and bone marrow is collected via hip and/or PBSC (Peripheral Blood Stem Cells) donation.
Jaden’s Law Walk- A Stem Cell Movement
Jaden’s Law; to require the Department of Health to establish a program to educate citizens of option to donate bone marrow to join the National Bone Marrow Donor Program registry through Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. Preserve Our Legacy, Inc will host a national series of walk-a-thons and donor drives in June 2010 for Stem Cell Month. Cities include: Dallas, TX, Atlanta, GA Chicago, IL and New York, NY. Exact dates will be disclosed at a later time.
Lack of Minority Donors
Presently, minorities are underrepresented in the National Registry of the NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program). Potential donors, presently, in the National Registry for minorities are: African-Americans or Black, more than 550,000 with only 8% of the total population, Native American or Alaskan Native, nearly 83,000 or 1% of total population, Asian, nearly 520,000 or 7% of the total population, Hispanic or Latino, nearly 690,000 or 9% of the total population. Multiple Race, nearly 210,000 or 3% of the total population, while white donors represent more than 5.3 million or 73% of the total population.
Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. will 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. More detail released at a later date. For more information, media or to request interviews contact us at 1.877.778.3623, for Media East Coast, ext. 702, Central U.S., ext. 711 and West Coast, ext 715. For Sponsorship information, ext 704 or 712.
