1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
Blacks Face Bone Marrow Donor Shortage
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
21-Jul-10
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Bone marrow transplants are often the only treatment for blood-related cancers. The treatment, however, is dependent on the patient finding a donor who shares a similar genetic makeup. In most cases, that means the match is found in someone of the same race. But as the story of Jennifer Jones Austin reveals, the black community has a particularly tough time attracting donors.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Data was pulled from National Marrow Donor Program's Be The Match Registry. Stats showed that black faired far worst than whites in their chances of finding a bone marrow donor.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
Leading experts in the bone marrow industry were consulted for this story including Dr. Willis Navarro, the medical director of the National Marrow Donor Program. It was also difficult to find a patient who was black and in need of a bone marrow transplant and willing to speak openly about their journey with finding a bone-marrow match.
6. Results (if any).
The National Marrow Donor Program said after the story aired they received a high volume of traffic of people registering to be donors.
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
I would advise other journalists to not shy away from reporting on ways health and medicine might be affecting different communities based on their race. Dealing with issues of race is a very sensitive topic but done rightfully so I think it's our obligation to report on ways the system may not be working for marginalized racial communities in America.