Augmenting bone marrow donor registries to enhance diversity and participation

Bone marrow contains stem cells which produce blood corpuscles and is crucial for the survival and well-being of an individual. Successful transplantation essentially requires a close match between the donor’s and recipient’s human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), and because these HLA markers are inherited, patients generally find a match within their own ethnic or racial group. The objectives of the current study were to identify the need for diversity in bone marrow registries, enlist potential barriers to participation in bone marrow donation, and proposed targeted interventions to overcome these identified barriers. There arises the need to maintain diversity within bone marrow donor registries, as this gives a platform for patients from underrepresented population groups to encounter fewer problems in locating compatible donors. Although bone marrow donation has emerged as the need of the hour for the treatment of life-threatening illnesses, we have not been successful in promoting bone marrow donation across different settings and in different communities. In conclusion, despite the bone marrow donation process being generally safe, we have failed to promote the registration of donors from diversified groups. The need of the hour is to strengthen awareness activities and support potential donors to not only promote registration but also enhance access to potentially life-saving treatment.