When a person volunteers to be a donor, his/her particular blood tissue traits as determined by blood test are recorded in the Registry. Because tissue types are inherited, similar to hair or eye colour, it is more likely that a person needing a marrow transplant will find a donor in another family member. This, however, happens only 30% of the time. Next the UK database is searched for an unrelated individual who is a close match. It is more likely that a donor who comes from the same racial or ethnic group will have the same tissue traits. For people of African ancestry, this is particularly true, as some, African, African Caribbean, African American, etc tissue types are rarely found in donors from other races and may be unusual even among other people of African ancestry.
This diversity means that many Black people have an unusually rare combination of the genes, called HLA genes that determine tissue type. These genes work sort of like a six-digit combination lock: To be a compatible donor, you need to have at least six versions of the genes in common with the recipient. The fewer of these genes that match, the greater the chance that the recipient's immune system will attack the donor cells. Therefore the more people to choose from, the closer the experts can get to an exact match.
The extreme diversity of tissue types among people with African ancestry means that there needs to be many more Black people registering to find a matching Black donor, than say a similar White Caucasian situation.
That means that if the group of potential donors being searched is small, the likelihood of finding a match will also be small.
Therefore we are appealing to all African, African Caribbean and People of Mixed Parentage between the ages of 18 & 45 to come forward and register on this day as potential lifesavers for the many Leukaemia or Blood Cancer patients within our community at home and abroad, including Russell Mills. You must be in relatively good health and have no history of severe back problems, hepatitis, heart disease or cancer & possess a positive attitude and pride in wanting to become a donor. No special diet or physical program is necessary, but individuals must not be severely under or over the expected weight for their height.

Content Reproduced by Kind Permission of the ACLT