Rapper 50 Cent is the latest celebrity to step forward and register with DKMS as a bone marrow donor. He encourages his fans to do the same.
After learning about 11-year-old Lion King star, Shannon Tavarez, 50 says it made him think about his own child. “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,” the rap star said in a statement.
“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,” said 50. “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.”
DKMS is the largest bone-marrow donor center in the world with more than 2 million registered donors. To sign up as a bone marrow donor visit getswabbed.org.
