Jasmina Anema Finds Life-Saving Bone Marrow Donors

UPDATE: The New York Daily News reported on May 9 that little Jasmina Anema's cancer is back. A biopsy revealed that her cancer cells have multiplied. However, plans for the bone marrow transplant are moving forward.

Little Jasmina Anema's mom will have a very happy Mother's Day on Sunday. You see, 6-year-old, Jasmina, from New York, is fighting a rare and very deadly form of leukemia.

The good news is that widespread public appeal for African Americans to register as bone marrow donors worked. Thousands were tested, and the results have turned up not one but two likely bone marrow-matched donors who may give Jasmina what she needs to knock out the disease once and for all.

"I am just thrilled," Theodora Anema, Jasmina's mother, said Tuesday. "I've never lost hope. I always expected a miracle, and this is like finding a miracle."

Jasmina, who has been hospitalized since January with a rare and especially deadly form of leukemia, [underwent] another bone marrow test [Wednesday].

If her cancer cells are once again undetectable and either of the donors pass a medical screening, prepping for her transplant will likely begin in a few weeks.

"I'm still a bit nervous, but it's never looked this good," Theodora Anema said.

Source: Two bone marrow matches found

Sadly, blacks are much less likely to find a life-saving bone marrow donor than a white person. Why? Not enough black people or people with black ancestry join the bone marrow registry.

For Caucasians in need of a bone marrow transplant, 88 percent find a suitable donor. For African Americans, that number tumbles to 60 percent.

While any person of any race can be a suitable person for anyone in need, the simple fact is this: ethnicity matters when it comes to bone marrow. A Caucasian person has a much better chance of getting a match from another Caucasian. An Asian person has a much better chance of being matched with another Asian. An African American has a better chance of being matched with another of African descent.

According to the National Marrow Donor Program, there are just 11 million people on the bone marrow donor registry. And that's not in the U.S.; that's in the world. In the U.S., there are 5 million white people on the registry. There are 500,000 blacks. There lies the difference between the 88 percent and 60 percent figures.

This is a call to the black community. The National Marrow Donor Program needs you. And those of African descent need you even more. They are literally dying for a better representation of blacks on the bone marrow registry.

Source: Shakesville: African Americans are dying for bone marrow donors - a call to action

Check out the National Marrow Donor program for more information.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Quiz

Awareness of Cervical Cancer is very important for Black women's health. Compared to white women, Black woman are more likely to die of the disease at what rate?

Twice the rate
Three times the rate
Five times the rate

What is cervical cancer?

A disease of the abdomen
A disease of the reproductive tract
A disease of the intestines

Is cervical cancer easy to prevent and treat?

Yes
No
It depends

When should a women begin getting screened for cervical cancer?

By age 21
By age 31
By age 40

How many cervical cancer screening options are there for a woman aged 30-40?

At what age can a woman stop getting her yearly screenings for cervical cancer, and be sure she will remain healthy?

What do the best medical professionals recommend to maintain your feminine health, regardless of your age?

Only getting cervical cancer screenings
Annual gynecologic examinations, including pelvic exams
Waiting until you have symptoms

Are there conditions that require more frequent tests for cervical cancer?

Yes
No
I'm not sure

What is the name of the cervical cancer vaccine?

HibTITER
Gardasil
Menomune

During what age range should a woman consider getting vaccinated with Gardasil?

Ages 5-10
Ages 32-44
Ages 9-26

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