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Reaching Black and African American CommunitiesPhi Beta Sigma Fraternity Commits to Partnership with NMDP
Giving Hope to Black and African American PatientsEach year more than 30,000 children and adults in the United States are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases such as leukemia and aplastic anemia, as well as certain immune system and genetic disorders for which a blood stem cell transplant can be a cure. Stem cell transplants require matching certain tissue traits of the donor and patient. Because these traits are inherited, a patient's most likely match is someone of the same heritage.The NMDP is committed to supporting the communities it serves. Through ongoing initiatives, the NMDP works with civic, community, corporate and faith-based organizations -- like Phi Beta Sigma -- to raise awareness around the country and encourage more people to join the NMDP Registry. The NMDP has made great strides, and the likelihood of finding a match has increased dramatically for Black and African American patients. Nevertheless, Blacks and African Americans are still the group of patients who face the greatest challenge in finding a match. More Black and African American potential donors on the NMDP Donor Registry can improve the chances for all patients to find a match. Sigmas Identifying Marrow Donors"Phi Beta Sigma has identified raising awareness about health issues, especially those that affect African American males, as a focus for social action projects," said Micheal Cristal, Phi Beta Sigma international director of social actions. "When we saw that the number of African American donors on the Registry was disproportionate to the overall population, we felt a responsibility to assist. This is another opportunity to raise awareness about medical issues in our communities."With the Sigmas Identifying Marrow Donors initiative, the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity has committed to assisting the NMDP for four years. Each year the fraternity will dedicate the month of February to focus on donor education and recruitment. With chapters in nearly every city throughout the United States, the fraternity can work with local NMDP donor centers on recruitment and retention efforts at other times of the year as well. Phi Beta Sigma chapters will act as community advocates for the NMDP, working to:
"We are grateful for Phi Beta Sigma's commitment and enthusiasm and look forward to working with them," said Jeffrey W. Chell, M.D., NMDP chief executive officer. "The fraternity's roots in the community and its active membership have enabled it to be tremendously successful in its affiliations with other nonprofit organizations. Phi Beta Sigma offers great promise for the impact it can have in helping the NMDP give hope to more Black and African American patients who need a stem cell transplant." Phi Beta Sigma FraternityPhi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., an international organization of college and professional men, was founded at Howard University, Washington, D.C., in 1914. One of the nine largest predominantly African American Greek-lettered organizations, Phi Beta Sigma has a membership of more than 150,000 with 650 chapters throughout the United States, Europe and Africa. Programs of the fraternity include Sigma Beta Clubs (the youth auxiliary for males 8 to 18 years of age), Sigmas Against Teenage Pregnancy Plus (SATAPP), and Sigmas Waging War Against Cancer (SWWAC). Visit http://www.pbs1914.org for more information about Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.Image Caption: |
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The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Phi Beta Sigma has committed to helping the NMDP raise awareness and educate and recruit committed potential marrow and blood stem cell donors in the Black and African American communities. The partnership formally launched a new initiative, Sigmas Identifying Marrow Donors (SIMD), at the Phi Beta Sigma National Conclave in Memphis, Tenn., July 2003.
