50 Cent Urges Fans To Get Swabbed

While 50 Cent was inspired by Shannon's story, his goal is to draw attention to the bigger issue of all leukemia patients nationwide waiting for a bone marrow transplant to give them a second chance at life. "My son is just a couple years older than Shannon and I can't imagine if his life was needlessly cut short when there is someone out there that could save him," said 50 Cent. "A complete stranger is the only person who can give Shannon a fighting chance to live. Register with DKMS online at www.GetSwabbed.org" Watch his PSA here

Shannon was performing on stage when the symptoms first hit. Her lower back and legs suddenly started hurting making it difficult for her to perform or even walk. "When I found out, it hit me really hard, like someone was throwing a ball at me. It was shocking and I thought, why me?" said Shannon. Now, Shannon lives at Schneider Children's Hospital in Long Island where she receives daily chemotherapy treatments. A bone marrow transplant from a stranger is her only chance at survival.

"Shannon's chances of finding a matching donor are slim because she's African American and Dominican and minorities are underrepresented in the national registry. Everyone, regardless of their race or ethnicity deserves a fair chance at life. Registering to become a bone marrow donor starts with a cheek swab but it's more than that. It's a commitment to save a life, said 50 Cent. Only eight percent of the seven million registered donors are African American which means that only seventeen percent of African Americans in need of a transplant will receive one.

Every day thousands of patients search the national registry hoping for a bone marrow donor match. Sadly 6 out of 10 patients never receive a transplant. "We have to fight harder. I feel like it's my obligation to do whatever I can do recruit more donors," states Katharina Harf, Co-founder, DKMS Americas, "I lost my mother to leukemia, but others can live if we only had enough donors. Register with DKMS today so Shannon doesn't have to keep her dream waiting."

To register to become a bone marrow donor and save Shannon or other leukemia patients go to www.GetSwabbed.org You must be between18 and 55 and in good general health. When you register with DKMS, you will also be listed on the Be The Match Registry� (operated by the NMDP) and can be found as a donor match for any patient in need of a bone marrow transplant.

The cost to DKMS for registering a new potential bone marrow donor is $65. DKMS does not make paying the fee mandatory, but we depend on public donations and appreciate any contribution. We are grateful for every dollar.


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