The Icla da Silva Foundation

Every year, more than 10,000 Americans are afflicted with life-threatening diseases that can only be cured with a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor.   Because these patients don’t have a donor in their family, their only chance is to find a genetically matched donor – someone willing to share his or her life-saving marrow.  Because patients are most likely to match someone of the same race and ethnicity, there is special need for donors who add diversity to the Registry.

Unfortunately, not all patients who need a transplant can get one. Disparities in access to health care, including insurance coverage, limit the number of patients who are referred for transplant.  Only 51 percent of patients who need a transplant begin a formal search for a matched donor. Of the patients who do search the Registry for a donor, only 36 percent of patients will get a transplant.

One of the main reasons 64 percent of searching patients don’t get a transplant they need, is because there are not enough diverse donors on the Registry.

The Icla da Silva Foundation's mission is to build a diverse marrow donor registry so that every patient has a chance for life.

Learn More About The Need for Donors

Dr. Jeffrey Chell, CEO of the National Marrow Donor Program, talks with Katie Couric about why bone marrow transplants can help treat certain diseases and disorders. (CBSNews.com)