This disease causes an excess of white blood cells to attack his organs. Only 50 people in the United States have been diagnosed with the disease and LJ has the distinction of being the only child suffering from this type of Leukemia. Currently 83% of African Americans who need transplants never find a match.
BET wants to help change this statistic; on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 6 p.m.* in conjunction with BET NEWS and the Preserve Our Legacy organization, 106 & PARK will make a direct appeal to its viewer to get tested and become donors.
Show hosts Terrence and Rosci will take the bone marrow compatibility tests in an effort to debunk myths surrounding testing.
The rate of African American and multi-ethnic individuals signing up to be donors is extremely low. With a mixed ancestry
(African American, Latino, and Native American),
LJ’s case is particularly daunting.He’s been through numerous rounds of chemotherapy, but it’s going to take a bone marrow transplant to save his life.
106 & PARK viewers have the potential to make a direct impact on LJ's life, and the lives of many more in need of bone marrow transplants. The aim, alongside Preserve Our Legacy is to get 25,000 new donors on the marrow registry, in the hopes that one of them will be a match for LJ, and save his life. Anyone in good health over the age of 18 is eligible to become a donor. Help us spread the word and possibly save LJ’s life, tune in Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 6 p.m.*
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