Welcome to the Season Close Out of Black Blood Heals. In today's episode, our host, Tamara Weston, reflects on the impactful conversations and insights shared this season. She highlights the diverse range of guests, from physicians discussing the need for more diverse stem cell donors to touching stories of patients and donors.

Throughout the season, Tamara and our guests have highlighted the importance of joining the registry and the significant impact individuals can have on someone's life with a stem cell transplant. The conversations have emphasized the necessity for people to make informed decisions about joining the registry and understanding the potential impact on their lives and the lives of others.

Tune in to Black Blood Heals to gain a deeper understanding of each person's critical role in saving lives through the NMDP registry.

We hope this season has inspired you to learn more about the life-saving potential of joining the NMDP registry and consider how you can make a difference.

Stay tuned for the upcoming Season 5, where we will continue to bring you compelling stories, valuable insights, and resources on ways to be a change agent and save lives in your community.

Get Involved

• Join the Donor Registry: https://bit.ly/3UGiU1S
• Visit NMDP for resources: https://bit.ly/48moDxd

Black Blood Heals is produced by Adode Media www.adodemedia.com

Welcome to Black Blood Heals, where we highlight the impactful stories of blood stem cell donors.

In today's episode, our host, Tamara Weston, sits down with Eboni Nash, a recent donor, to walk us through her donor journey and share insights into the experience of being a stem cell donor. Eboni joined the registry in March 2020, during the early days of the pandemic, and received the call to donate in August 2021, just a year and five months later. She generously shares her entire journey, from joining the registry to going through the bone marrow donation process, and how she has become an advocate for getting more people involved in the registry. Tune in to gain valuable insight into the donor experience and the impact of joining the NMDP stem cell donor registry.

Listen to Eboni's inspiring story and advocacy for increasing registry participation.

Get Involved

• Join the Donor Registry: https://bit.ly/3UGiU1S
• Visit NMDP for resources: https://bit.ly/48moDxd

Black Blood Heals is produced by Adode Media www.adodemedia.com

Welcome to "Black Blood Heals," the podcast spotlighting the cutting-edge advancements in treatments for inherited blood disorders. In today's pediatric-focused episode, we are honored to have Dr. Staci Arnold, a pediatric hematologist and oncologist, join our host, Tamara Weston, to discuss groundbreaking therapies reshaping the lives of young patients. Dr. Arnold brings a wealth of expertise from her work with children ranging from newborns to young adults, mainly those battling sickle cell disease and bone marrow failure syndromes. Today, we're zooming in on the complexities of sickle cell disease, the significance of early detection and ongoing research into gene therapy, and the importance of holistic care including pain management and encouraging physical activity within individual limits.

During our deep dive, Dr. Arnold shares insights on the necessity of newborn screening for conditions like sickle cell disease, emphasizing the critical role early intervention plays in managing this inherited disorder. With a passion for patient education, this episode highlights the misleading nature of initial sickle cell testing and the varied expression of symptoms over time, while touching upon the typical signs in toddlers and newborns.

Dr. Arnold advocates for empowering families with knowledge about when to manage episodes at home, and when to seek professional medical help. As we explore the evolution of understanding and treatment options for sickle cell and blood cancers, it’s clear that Dr. Arnold's work reflects the mission at the heart of "Black Blood Heals": to bring hope and healing to the youngest patients facing these challenging conditions. To learn more about blood stem cell therapy, transplantation, and to consider joining the fight against blood disorders, visit nmdp.org and become part of a movement that changes lives.

Get Involved

• Join the Donor Registry: https://bit.ly/3UGiU1S
• Visit NMDP for resources: https://bit.ly/48moDxd

Black Blood Heals is produced by Adode Media www.adodemedia.com

Welcome to "Black Blood Heals," where we explore the groundbreaking world of blood stem cell therapy. In today's episode, brought to you by NMDP, we are joined by Dr. Edward Ziga, an esteemed pediatric specialist in blood marrow transplant and blood stem cell therapy. Dr. Ziga provides crucial insights into the unique challenges faced by the black, latino, and black caribbean communities in need of stem cell transplants, particularly in relation to sickle cell disease and other disorders. As we unravel the complexities of donor-recipient matching, we gain a deeper understanding of the importance of ethnicity and ancestry in donations, as well as the disparities in access to donors for patients with diverse heritages. Dr. Ziga's work in Ghana also sheds light on the global impact of blood stem cell therapy and the opportunities to save lives beyond borders.

We learn about the criticality of expanding the donor registry to include more diverse ethnicities to improve the chances of finding matches for patients from underrepresented communities. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for more individuals, regardless of their background, to join the registry and become potential life-saving donors. Dr. Ziga's passion for his work, dedication to helping patients, and commitment to building a global network for advancing stem cell therapy inspires a call to action for all listeners to consider becoming part of the solution. As we strive to make a lasting impact, we are reminded that it takes all of us to save just one of us.

Get Involved

• Join the Donor Registry: https://bit.ly/3UGiU1S
• Visit NMDP for resources: https://bit.ly/48moDxd

Black Blood Heals is produced by Adode Media www.adodemedia.com

Welcome to another engaging episode of Black Blood Heals. Today, our host, Tamara Weston, is joined by Karla Dawson, the program manager on the health equity team at NMDP. They delve into the crucial topic of access to transplants and the services NMDP offers for searching patients and patients who have received transplants.

Karla provides insight into how NMDP is working to ensure equitable access to transplants and resources for all patients, particularly focusing on the needs of the sickle cell community. The discussion touches on the challenges faced in achieving health equity, the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare disparities, and the importance of raising awareness about transplant options.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into NMDP's efforts to bridge the health equity gap and support patients in their journey to receive life-saving transplants.

Join us in discovering the vital role of NMDP and its dedication to addressing the disparities in healthcare and working toward a future where every patient has equitable access to life-saving treatments.

Get Involved

• Join the Donor Registry: https://bit.ly/3UGiU1S
• Visit NMDP for resources: https://bit.ly/48moDxd

Black Blood Heals is produced by Adode Media www.adodemedia.com

Welcome to another episode of Black Blood Heals. In today's show, we delve into the important work of engaging young people in joining the blood stem cell donor registry.

Our host, Tamara Weston, sits down with Armani Oliver, a sophomore from Morehouse College and an intern at NMDP, to discuss his efforts to inspire his fellow classmates to join the registry.

They explore the challenges, successes, and goals of the HBCU program, aiming to increase representation and save more African American lives. Join us as we discover the vital role of young leaders like Armani in the mission to heal and save lives.

Get Involved

• Join the Donor Registry: https://bit.ly/3UGiU1S
• Visit NMDP for resources: https://bit.ly/48moDxd

Black Blood Heals is produced by Adode Media www.adodemedia.com

Welcome to Black Blood Heals, a groundbreaking podcast exploring the world of blood stem cell therapy. In today's episode, sponsored by NMDP, we shine a spotlight on the pressing need for African American men to join the donor registry. Joining us is the esteemed Dr. Jason Payne, an Assistant Professor/Pediatric Hematologist at Morehouse Medical School, whose passion for beating sickle cell disease and dedication to increasing diversity in the donor registry is truly inspiring.

Dr. Payne shares his insights on the need for more representation in the medical field, emphasizing the importance of African American physicians and donors. He discusses the challenges faced by African American patients, particularly in finding stem cell matches, and provides valuable information on the process of joining the registry and becoming a potential donor. The conversation highlights the crucial role of education, advocacy, and community outreach to address disparities and improve access to life-saving treatments.

If you've ever considered making a difference as a donor, don't miss out on the opportunity to learn more about the impact you can make. Visit nmdp.org to discover how you can become part of the solution and help save lives in your community. Let's unite to create meaningful change.

Get Involved

• Join the Donor Registry: https://bit.ly/3UGiU1S
• Visit NMDP for resources: https://bit.ly/48moDxd

Black Blood Heals is produced by Adode Media www.adodemedia.com

Welcome back to "Black Blood Heals." with host Tamara Weston. In today's episode, we dive into the critical world of stem cell donation and transplantation. Our esteemed guest, Dr. Brandon Blue, a hematologist-oncologist, brings his invaluable insights to the table as we unpack the crucial role of HLA markers in finding stem cell donor matches, the urgent need for increased African American representation in donor registries, and why this ethnic disparity exists.

We'll explore the barriers to participation, such as a lack of awareness and education within the African American community, and discuss strategies to boost donor numbers. With African Americans currently having only a 29% chance of finding a stem cell match, Dr. Blue highlights the significance of diverse registries, the importance of tailored healthcare education, and the advancements in mismatched donor trials that offer new hope.

From the medications, like filgrastim, that prepare potential donors, to the details of autologous and allogeneic transplants, we'll leave no stone unturned. Dr. Blue also addresses the broader systemic changes needed within healthcare, emphasizing diverse representation among providers, and encourages a culture of openness regarding health issues.

Join us as we tackle how we can support those affected by blood-related cancers, the journey of patients preparing for transplants, and why your role in this fight is more important than ever. It's time to close the gap, one donor, one education session, one life-saving stem cell transplant at a time.

Get Involved

• Join the Donor Registry: https://bit.ly/3UGiU1S
• Visit NMDP for resources: https://bit.ly/48moDxd

Black Blood Heals is produced by Adode Media www.adodemedia.com