When the chance of treating cancer through a bone marrow transplant relies on strangers, it can be scary. According to Be the Match, Caucasians have a 77 percent chance of finding a match through the registry, but African Americans have only a 23 percent likelihood.

That's why Alexes Harris, UW professor of sociology, is sharing her story. As a person of color diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, she couldn't find a match for a bone marrow transplant. In the end, Harris was saved by a cord blood transplant.

Dr. Mary-Beth Percival, professor of medicine, Division of Hematology and a Seattle Cancer Care Alliance physician, also explains why a diverse registry is important.

To learn more about joining the national registry, visit BetheMatch.org.

Downloadable Media Assets: