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Liu Making No Bones on Marrow Need
By Reeva Oza
Daily News Writer
New York Daily News
24 June 2005
AN EVER-GROWING need for bone marrow in the Asian-American community has spurred a Queens councilman to action.
Flushing City Councilman John Liu will sponsor a bone marrow donor registration drive today to raise local Asian-American awareness about leukemia.
According to the American Cancer Society, less than 1% of Asian- Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer annually, but the percentage is increasing.
And each year, one-third of all Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. who are diagnosed with cancer die from it, the statistics show.
"We need to educate people regarding the simplicity of registering," said Liu, a registered donor, who represents a heavily Asian-American district.
In cancer patients, cancerous cells are eliminated through chemotherapy, and a bone-marrow transplant provides new blood cells from which cancer-free cells can grow.
Because marrow and stem cells have hereditary traits, most patients would most likely find matches within their own ethnicities.
This week's drive was initiated by Cammy Lee, founder and namesake of the Cammy Lee Leukemia Foundation.
"There is a one in 1 million chance that Asians will find a bone marrow match if they need one," said Lee, 32, a leukemia survivor who appeared this week at a press conference at Liu's Flushing district office.
She offered another sobering statistic: Of all registered bone- marrow donors, only 8% are Asians and Pacific Islanders, and only 30% of all minorities are registered.
Lee's family created the foundation when she needed a marrow transplant in 1992. After a match was found for her, the foundation continued to help others in need.
"I am living proof that donating marrow works, since I am alive today," Lee said.
The drive will be held in Liu's district office, at 135-27 38th Ave., Suite 388, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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