Drive is on for more bone marrow donors
CLAIRE HAYNES
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Hariata Sadler has good reason to encourage people to join the New Zealand Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
The 42-year-old Oneroa resident has a rare blood cancer called essential thrombocythaemia.
She may need bone marrow in the future and there are not enough bone marrow donors to support New Zealand's Maori community.
When a blood cancer patient needs a bone marrow transplant, the donor and the patient must have matching tissue types.
Hariata is encouraging residents to give blood and join the bone marrow registry on September 6 at the Oneroa Red Cross.
"We've got a great community on Waiheke Island. Let's share the highs and lows together and be prepared to help each other," she says.
"It's up to you. One day a loved one or family member might need it. It doesn't take much to give it a go."
The Waiheke Fire Service volunteer was diagnosed with blood cancer last year after going to hospital with "incredible" pain in her stomach. She now takes daily medication and has weekly blood tests to monitor the condition.
Essential thrombocythaemia means her bone marrow over-produces platelets, leading to thrombosis.
Hariata is of Maori and Pakeha descent.
She wants to raise awareness about the need for more bone marrow donors within Maori, Pacific Island and other New Zealand ethnic minorities.
"I feel that I can make a difference for all New Zealanders by bringing attention to my illness and other blood cancers and the need for blood donors to join the registry."
There are more than nine million Europeans worldwide on registries. But there are only about 6000 Maori and Pacific Island donors on the New Zealand Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
An estimated 42,000 patients are treated with blood or blood products in New Zealand each year and 21 percent of all blood collected in New Zealand goes to cancer patients.
The Waiheke community blood drive is at the Oneroa Red Cross, 132 Ocean View Rd, from 11am to 6pm on September 6.
- Waiheke Marketplace
