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Leukemia Info
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More African American bone marrow donors are needed so others can have a second chance at life!
When leukemia develops, the body produces large numbers of abnormal blood cells. In most types of leukemia, the abnormal cells
are the white blood cells. Leukemia is grouped in two ways: by how quickly the disease develops and gets worse and by the type
of blood cell that is affected.
Leukemia Cell |
Leukemia is either acute or chronic. In acute leukemia, the abnormal blood cells are blasts that remain very immature and cannot
carry out their normal functions. The blasts increase rapidly and the disease gets worse quickly. In chronic leukemia, the cells
are more mature and do not increase as fast. Leukemia can arise in either Lymphoid cells or Myeloid cells. When leukemia affects
Lymphoid cells it is called Lymphocytic Leukemia. When leukemia affects myeloid cells it is called Myeloid or Myelogenous Leukemia.
The only hope for survival for many people diagnosed with leukemia is a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. However, marrow
transplants require matching tissue type combinations along with blood type, which are complex genetic traits often more common
among a particular race. Although these genetic traits are inherited, 70% of patients do not find a match within their own family.
It is possible for patients to find a match among any race, but it is more likely to find within their own race. There is a special
need to recruit African American donors because their heritage is the most diverse and each new donor may represent a unique tissue
type.
Normal Blood Cells
The blood is made up of fluid called plasma and three types of cells. Each has special functions.
Tlymphocyte, type of white blood cell |
White Blood Cells (leukocytes)
Help fight infection and other diseases.
Red Blood Cells (erythrocytes)
Carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and take carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.
Platelets (thrombocytes)
Help form blood clots to control bleeding.
Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow, the soft spongy center of bones. New blood cells are called "blasts".
Some blasts stay in the marrow to mature, while some travel to other areas of the body to mature. Normally the body
produces blood cells in an orderly, controlled way, as we need them. This process keeps us healthy.
Please help Jackie get a second chance at life, register to become a bone marrow donor!
Please visit these other important sites for more information.
American Cancer Society - www.cancer.org
National Marrow Donor Program - www.marrow.org
American Bone Marrow Registry - www.abmdr.org
American Red Cross - www.redcross.org
4 Sho 4 Kids - www.4sho4kids.org
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