Asian American Donor Program Celebrate 30 Years of Saving 600 Lives

In the last 30 years, The Asian American Bone Marrow Donation Program has saved 600 lives

600 cranes represent 600 lives.

Asian American Donor Program (AADP) is asking the Asian American community to sign up online to become a stem cell donor. 

The AADP is a non-profit organization dedicated to recruiting stem cell donors and promoting stem cell donation in the AAPI community. Many life-threatening diseases can be cured with a stem cell or marrow transplant. “The key to a successful stem cell transplant is to find a donor who shares a similar ethnic background with the patient,” said Jonathan Leong, the founder of AADP. However, there are way fewer Asian donors on the registry than white donors. Many Asian patients died because they could not find a compatible donor, and this was why he founded the AADP.

To date, the AADP has successfully helped save more than 600 patients. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, AADP will host its virtual celebration — 600 Cranes on Friday, October 23.

Origami cranes have a special meaning. Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl who was exposed to radiation from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II, developed leukemia when she was 11 years old. Her friend told her that she would be able to survive if she can fold one thousand cranes. Sasaki only folded 644 cranes when she died. Origami cranes, which is the logo of AADP, has become the symbol of peace. The lineup of the virtual celebration includes the winner of America’s Got Talent, Shin Lim, and the winner of Survivor: Cook Islands, Yul Kwon.

Kwon is also a spokesperson for the AADP. Many years ago, Kwon’s college roommate received a marrow transplant, which made Kwon aware of the importance of stem cell donation. After he won Survivor: Cook Islands, he started encouraging Asian Americans to be more involved in stem cell donation. “Many people, especially AAPIs, never thought of donating stem cells,” said Kwon. However, he hopes people can understand that many patients need a transplant to survive. He asked people to join the registry to help save a life and be a true hero.

(本報記者李兆庭三藩市報道)