Health x Wellness

BMDP National Survey 2024 Reveals Critical Gaps in Marrow Donation Awareness

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58 percent of Singaporeans are unaware of how to save lives through marrow donation, highlighting the need for community-driven education and collective action.

The Bone Marrow Donor Programme (BMDP), Singapore’s sole marrow donor registry, announced the results of their inaugural National Survey in conjunction with their annual flagship event, Match for Life.

The survey, which gathered responses from over 3,000 Singaporeans, aimed to understand public knowledge, attitudes, and barriers regarding marrow donation.

BMDP

Key Survey Insights

Lack of Awareness:

  • 58 percent of respondents are unaware of how they can help save lives through bone marrow and stem cell donation.
  • Doctors and family members are the most trusted sources of advice throughout the donation journey.

Misconceptions Among Key Demographics:

  • Adults aged 26 to 44 hold significant misconceptions about bone marrow donation:
    • 67 percent mistakenly believe that donation involves extracting bone.
    • 70 percent think it is harmful in the long term.
    • 76 percent assume only younger individuals can donate.

Fear of Needles:

  • Fear of needles is a major obstacle for nearly 44 percent of respondents, with 54 percent of those familiar with the donation process still expressing hesitation.

Ethnic Representation:

  • 52 percent of respondents are unaware of the significance of ethnicity in bone marrow donation.
  • Current odds of finding a perfect donor match in Singapore are 2 percent for Indians, 20 percent for Malays, and 40 percent for Chinese.
  • Indians and Malays are significantly under-represented in the donor registry.

Workplace Support:

  • 41 percent of respondents are uncertain about receiving workplace support for marrow donation, highlighting the need for better workplace policies.
BMDP

Call to Action: How You Can Help

Educate and Share:

  • Learn about the bone marrow donation process at BMDP’s Virtual Roadshow here and share this information with family, friends, and communities.

Correct Misconceptions:

  • If you are between the ages of 26 and 44, inform yourself and others about the realities of donation to dispel myths and encourage more donors to come forward.

Overcome Fears:

  • The fear of needles should not stand in the way of saving lives. BMDP urges the medical community to provide reassurance and guide potential donors through their concerns.

Close the Ethnic Gap:

  • Malays and Indians are underrepresented in the donor registry. Registering as a marrow donor, especially if you belong to these communities, could make a life-saving difference.

Workplace Support:

  • Employers can foster a supportive environment by offering flexible work arrangements or paid time off for employees identified as a match for marrow donation.

Giving blood disease patients a second chance at life requires a whole-of-society effort. With 58 percent of Singaporeans still unaware of how they can help, there is an urgent need for education, action, and support across communities, workplaces, and government bodies. Together, we can close the gaps in awareness, correct misconceptions, and ultimately, save more lives.

BMDP CEO, Mr. Charles Loh

Pictures courtesy of BMDP

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