BloodCenter of Wisconsin and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to host special exhibit at African World Festival

Milwaukee, Wis. — July 25, 2013 — BloodCenter of Wisconsin and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are partnering to host the “Our Blood Matters” special exhibit during African World Festival, Saturday, August 3, from noon to 5 p.m. The exhibit will educate attendees on prevalent health issues in the African-American community.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Receive blood pressure and glucose screenings provided by Milwaukee Health Services
• Ask questions of local medical experts
• Receive a complimentary tote bag

The theme of the exhibit, “Our Blood Matters,” references the importance of donorship in the African-American community. For a patient in need — particularly in the case of organ and marrow transplantation — a donor of the same ethnic background provides the best chance of successful recovery. Transplant success rates increase when the transplants originate from someone with the same ethnicity. Thus, when African-Americans donate, African-Americans live.

Real-life stories
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from patients whose lives have been directly impacted by blood, marrow, tissue or organ donation. Patients like Elijah.

Elijah was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a blood cancer, at 8 years old. He received chemotherapy along with blood and platelet transfusions to help fight the cancer. Today Elijah has a positive outlook on life. His mother, Monica, knows the priceless gift of blood donation has helped Elijah, and it can help others like him.

There will also be an opportunity to join the organ/tissue and marrow registries and to learn more about donorship from BloodCenter experts. Attendees will also be able to make an appointment to donate blood.

Joining the organ/tissue and marrow registries and donating blood are ways to make a positive impact in your community. To learn more, visit www.bcw.edu or call 1-877-BE-A-HERO (1-877-232-4376).

About BloodCenter of Wisconsin
BloodCenter of Wisconsin is a private, not-for-profit organization that specializes in blood services, organ and tissue recovery, marrow donation and education, diagnostic testing, medical services and leading-edge research. BloodCenter of Wisconsin is the only provider of blood to hospitals in 29 Wisconsin counties. BloodCenter of Wisconsin advances patient care by delivering life-saving solutions grounded in unparalleled medical and scientific expertise. For more information, visit www.bcw.edu.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org.