My friend has leukemia and needs a donor, and they don't have a match out of however many million they've looked through. He's African American, and supposedly there is only 8% or so donors, that are of this race.

Why is that?!.. We need more. Any suggestions on raising awareness? Or how to get something going to look for a match for him, especially from the African American community?

He's too young, and I feel helpless. =(

My neice was 3 when diagnosed with 2 types of leukemia, we dont really have much bone marrow banking here in NewZealand, however her donor eventually came from a babys cord blood in Germany! Dont give up, best wishes.

i am assuming the donor has to be african american as well?

I am sorry to hear about your friend, but hopefully I have some info that may help.

I too have a friend who has leukemia, he has been on the donor list for approx. 18-24 months now. He is caucasian but for some reason there has been no match for him either.

Now from everything we learned, since your friend is African American, most donor testing should/could be provided at no or little cost, because he is as they consider a minority or at a lower chance of getting a donor. Your friend may want to contact Life Source for more information.

Myself I think the guidelines need to change alittle as to what they consider minority. I think if you are on the national donor list for over a specific amount of time the same option of no or low cost testing should be available, no matter what heredity you are.

Anyway, I do hope this information helps your friend. Good Luck!!!