# MULTI-RACIAL/MINORITIES:A supposed lack of bone marrow donors from non-white ethnicities **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 16, 2014, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719 "2014-08-16T23:41:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![la\_fille\_intellectuelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@la\_fille\_intellectuelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/la_fille_intellectuelle)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2014, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/1 "2014-08-16T23:41:42Z")
Would you register yourself on the National Marrow Donor Program EVEN THOUGH caucasians/minorites are not equally treated? Since the caucasian race is so prevalent they must pay a $65 fee to have the genetic testing performed. If you’re comprised of ANY OTHER RACE (at least 25% or multi-race) then their is NO CHARGE. No compensation for bone marrow donation yet you want the “african-americans” to sign right on up? Recently I’ve been contemplating my own mortality & all the things that I’ve never experienced in life.This soul searching happened to lead me to the bone marrow donation procedure (which I had never before heard of really) Do you think that its a good idea even though it would endear the cause more to offer some form of compensation (not direct cash,other forms)? NOTE:YES,I HAPPEN TO BE MULTI-RACIAL (BLACK/ARABIC,BUT I COULD HAVE MORE HOWEVER I HAVE NEVER UNDERGONE GENETIC TESTING) & HAVE NEVER CONSIDERED DONATING BONE MARROW. NO,I’M NOT ENCOURAGING YOU TO JOIN THE BONE MARROW REGISTRY BECAUSE I DO FEEL THAT CONPENSATION SHOULD BE OFFERED. NOTE:I WILL NEVER BECOME AN ORGAN/TISSUE DONOR & HAVE A NOTARIZED DIRECTIVE PROHIBITING ANY PREEMPTIVE ENDING OF MY LIFE TO “SAVE” ANOTHER. NOTE:THIS WAS TYPED ON MY MOBILE DEVICE SO FROM THIS POINT ON NO MORE "THE PARAGRAPHS ARE TOO FAR SPACED,TOO MANY WORDS IN ALL CAPS,ETC.LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WASTE YOUR TIME ON WHETHER OR NOT I TEXTED THIS PERFECTLY.MY LIFE DOESN’T REVOLVE AROUND THIS FORUM,SO IT IS WHAT IT IS. PEACE 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/2 "2014-08-17T01:00:59Z")
Reported for…umm, not sure what. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/3 "2014-08-17T01:21:35Z")
Inaccurate username? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/4 "2014-08-17T01:25:50Z")
> [@la\_fille\_intellectuelle](#): > > BECAUSE I DO FEEL THAT CONPENSATION SHOULD BE OFFERED. > NOTE:I WILL NEVER BECOME AN ORGAN/TISSUE DONOR & HAVE A NOTARIZED DIRECTIVE PROHIBITING ANY PREEMPTIVE ENDING OF MY LIFE TO “SAVE” ANOTHER. Yeah. Well. Each to their own, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/5 "2014-08-17T01:44:26Z")
> [@la\_fille\_intellectuelle](#): > > Would you register yourself on the National Marrow Donor Program EVEN THOUGH caucasians/minorites are not equally treated? > > Since the caucasian race is so prevalent they must pay a $65 fee to have the genetic testing performed. Do you have any evidence to support this claim? The National Marrow Donor Program’s own [website](http://bethematch.org/Support-the-Cause/Donate-bone-marrow/Donation-process/Before-you-donate/) has a little graphic (you can see it on the right of the page) that says “Donors never pay to donate marrow.” And [this page](http://bethematch.org/Apps/Donation_Guide/English/becoming_a_donor/understanding_your_involvement.aspx), under the heading “Financial,” says: > [@](#): > > **Will I have to pay for anything?** > > There will be no cost to you for exams, medical care, transportation or other expenses related to donation. Most expenses associated with donating are covered by the patient or the patient’s insurance. Sometimes by mistake, a donor receives a medical bill. You are not expected to pay the bill. **If you ever receive a bill related to your donation, call your donor center representative right away.** ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/6 "2014-08-17T02:00:12Z")
I remember her somewhat. She recently had moved to LA (?) from the South (?) and was upset 'cause nobody would compliment her on her ass? Or wouldn’t? Got it : (Stalks away) > [@](#): > > \*Never knew I was beautiful…until I moved to L.A. > > * * * > > Hi,everyone its le fille intellectuelle! > > This is my very first post on the SDMB & to be honest I’m so glad to finally find a community that I can say it like it really is without restriction. > > Anyway,I’ll get to the point,which is that ever since I moved from a small town in the Southeast to L.A.,people have flat out followed me,harassed me,told me I’m beautiful. > > Now,I really didn’t think about how different life would be in a big city,since I mostly stick to myself. > > Mostly black guys,it seems like,feel the need to come to me & speak there deepest thoughts on my level of beauty. > > “Good Morning” I desperately avoid,since it often turns into “you are FINE”! > > Too often I’m just walking by myself & people will look at me & then come up to me & tell me how beautiful I am. > > Most of it I’ve chocked up to them used to seeing people that are so unnatractive that “I” look good to them.However,since aparently I’m not good enough to get into Maxim,I fail to understand. > > Sometimes its people that aren’t black that will feel the need to just walk up to me & tell me I’m lovely.Still the majority of the people that comment on my beauty are men,mostly black. > > So,that’s the reason why I feel that I’m not beautiful.Its that I question the intelligence of the people who claim I am. > > It would actually be a refresher to have a caucasion male or even someone foreign tell me “hey,you’re a goddess”. > > The quality of the men that comment on my so called “beauty” is in question. > > Personally,I’m a mid-late 20’s half black/half Arabic woman so I do understand it when people ask me if I’m from another country.One of my parents is from another country so I’m literally half foreign. > My face is sort of an oval shape which is why I wish my hair was long.However my nose is way too big & I have issues with the super slow growth rate of african-american textured hair. > > My skin used to be really light,almost yellow,but I fear that this L.A. sun has made me darker.Regardless of what anyone thinks,I would be so happy if my skin were barely tan,or even porcelain. > > So,anyway,due to my awkward hair & choice of career,I often find myself wearing wigs/extentions.That’s when it gets completely out of control with the comments from people. > > Due to the people that I know in the industry that I work in,I know that I’m not beautiful by their standards. > Is it that I’m too sensitive or am I really as beautiful as people claim I am? \* Yeah, large nose, worried about the quality of the people following her calling out “beautiful”, can’t wear wigs or mob scene will ensue, … My how she has grown, intellectually and posting style-wise. Brings a tear from my jaded, cynical lacrimal ducts, it does. ---
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/7 "2014-08-17T02:35:10Z")
> [@la\_fille\_intellectuelle](#): > > NOTE:THIS WAS TYPED ON MY MOBILE DEVICE SO FROM THIS POINT ON NO MORE "THE PARAGRAPHS ARE TOO FAR SPACED,TOO MANY WORDS IN ALL CAPS,ETC.LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WASTE YOUR TIME ON WHETHER OR NOT I TEXTED THIS PERFECTLY.MY LIFE DOESN’T REVOLVE AROUND THIS FORUM,SO IT IS WHAT IT IS. Well, alrighty then. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/8 "2014-08-17T03:02:20Z")
Yeah, have fun with that. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/9 "2014-08-17T05:39:45Z")
Although I’m not sure, I think what the OP is saying is that when you sign up for the registry there is a fee for the testing/analysis of your blood sample. Many years ago, when I registered, I paid $50. If called on to actually donate bone marrow the donor incurs no expenses. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/10 "2014-08-17T05:46:19Z")
My registry is the local blood bank, they don’t charge for any tests but then, they don’t pay blood donors either. What I don’t understand is why is that strange person yelling. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/11 "2014-08-17T05:50:16Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Although I’m not sure, I think what the OP is saying is that when you sign up for the registry there is a fee for the testing/analysis of your blood sample. Many years ago, when I registered, I paid $50. > > If called on to actually donate bone marrow the donor incurs no expenses. Well, i’ve spent some time looking at the website of the specific organization mentioned by the OP, and the only mention i can find of payment is that people aged 45-60 are required to pay $100 to cover costs. According to the site, this is because donors aged 18-44 are generally a better match, and so they need to focus most of their limited resources on that group. The site does discuss the need for more non-white donors, but nowhere does it say that white donors will be charged a fee based on their race or ethnicity. Age, not race or ethnicity, is the only category i can find where donors are differentiated into paying and non-paying groups. Edit: [Link](http://bethematch.org/Support-the-Cause/Donate-bone-marrow/Join-the-marrow-registry/FAQs-about-joining/) ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/12 "2014-08-17T05:52:31Z")
For whatever it is worth, I have heard that those with unusual genetic backgrounds in the USA do have a difficult time finding a matching donor. ---
**Author:** ![troubledwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@troubledwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troubledwater)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/13 "2014-08-17T11:41:25Z")
> [@grude](#): > > For whatever it is worth, I have heard that those with unusual genetic backgrounds in the USA do have a difficult time finding a matching donor. [True](http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/rod-carew-daughter-dies-donor-found-stricken-teen-article-1.716857). The story of Rod Carew’s daughter inspired me to register my biracial self as a marrow donor nearly twenty years ago. ETA: I don’t think I paid a fee. I was pretty poor then and I think I’d have remembered that. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/14 "2014-08-17T13:52:05Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Well, i’ve spent some time looking at the website of the specific organization mentioned by the OP, and the only mention i can find of payment is that people aged 45-60 are required to pay $100 to cover costs. According to the site, this is because donors aged 18-44 are generally a better match, and so they need to focus most of their limited resources on that group. > > The site does discuss the need for more non-white donors, but nowhere does it say that white donors will be charged a fee based on their race or ethnicity. Age, not race or ethnicity, is the only category i can find where donors are differentiated into paying and non-paying groups. > > Edit: [Link](http://bethematch.org/Support-the-Cause/Donate-bone-marrow/Join-the-marrow-registry/FAQs-about-joining/) Yup, that’s the group I signed up through. At the time I registered (years ago), I think they were requesting smaller payments (like $40-50) from younger donors but had frequent recruitment drives where sponsors would pay for a block of hundreds of test kits and you could request one for free. This new policy sounds like a good compromise. (Oh, I’m white.) ---
**Author:** ![la\_fille\_intellectuelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@la\_fille\_intellectuelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/la_fille_intellectuelle)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/15 "2014-08-17T21:43:52Z")
> [@jimbuff314](#): > > I remember her somewhat. She recently had moved to LA (?) from the South (?) and was upset 'cause nobody would compliment her on her ass? Or wouldn’t? > > Got it : (Stalks away) > > Yeah, large nose, worried about the quality of the people following her calling out “beautiful”, can’t wear wigs or mob scene will ensue, … > > My how she has grown, intellectually and posting style-wise. Brings a tear from my jaded, cynical lacrimal ducts, it does. People,I don’t need anyone’s validation of anything,& at this point in my life it doesn’t really matter.This is regarding an article I found stating that the NDMP charged anyone who is not a minority $65.Now,I don’t think it works like that anymore but with all the budget problems,things change. If anyone is offended I did not mean to offend anyone but bone marrow donation IS about race.I don’t appreciate constant accusatiins of lazyness just because we are underrepresented here & there. NOTE:I’m a conservative but even I take a hard look at a post before I flag it;freedom of speech. Thank you 😃 ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/16 "2014-08-17T21:49:51Z")
> [@la\_fille\_intellectuelle](#): > > NOTE:I’m a conservative […] Well, there’s yer problem. ---
**Author:** ![la\_fille\_intellectuelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@la\_fille\_intellectuelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/la_fille_intellectuelle)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/17 "2014-08-17T22:10:26Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Although I’m not sure, I think what the OP is saying is that when you sign up for the registry there is a fee for the testing/analysis of your blood sample. Many years ago, when I registered, I paid $50. > > If called on to actually donate bone marrow the donor incurs no expenses. _CLAPS HANDS_ Seems that you’re the only one here that understands the purpose of my post on this subject.In ny post I forgot to mention that the fee non-mimorities had to pay was NOT current,possibly. Everyone,thanks for at least taking the time to read my thread & I honestly apprrciate it.However regarding any previous posts “certain” people have referenced;well that had a lot to do with my safety as a single woman in a big city. Anyway,at least I got the message out & now know that I will probably not join the NMDP registry.Goodness knows what would happen if they gave my info to other agencies,considering its a federally funded program. “Do or Not Do,there is No try” 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/18 "2014-08-17T22:17:43Z")
> [@la\_fille\_intellectuelle](#): > > Seems that you’re the only one here that understands the purpose of my post on this subject.In ny post I forgot to mention that the fee non-mimorities had to pay was NOT current,possibly. Translation: I couldn’t be bothered to take a few minutes of investigation to confirm my shitty information. I’ll keep that in mind about your posts in future. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/19 "2014-08-17T22:23:21Z")
I figured that out _months_ ago. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719/20 "2014-08-17T23:20:46Z")
I’ll start paying attention when she stops shouting at us. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-racial-minorities-a-supposed-lack-of-bone-marrow-donors-from-non-white-ethnicities/695719.md?page=2)