Earlier this week, singer Natalie Cole (daughter of Nat King Cole) went on Larry King to talk about her need for a new kidney. Before the show had concluded, scores of fans had contacted the show about their willingness to donate their own kidneys (or least be tested for it). Cole is famous so her ability to use King’s show reached millions. Meanwhile it is the grassroots efforts of everyday people that is mobilizing folks to get six-year-old Jasmina Anema the bone marrow donor she desperately needs. The effort is called “One For Jasmina”. And although Sherry Shepherd mentioned Jasmina’s plight on “The View” yesterday, most of the coverage of Jasmina has been limited to local news in NYC.
It is no surprise that Cole would get an outpouring of support from her fans. Many of us have grown up hearing her music. We’re also aware of her well-publicized battle back from drug addiction and her subsequent diagnosis of Hepatitis C last year. Her kidney’s failed as a result of the treatment she received for the disease. If she doesn’t receive a transplant she’ll need dialysis for the rest of her life.
But thank God that celebrity obsession is not the be all and end all. Our people are coming out in droves to get tested for Jasmina too,.Her need for a donor is pretty immediate because she is battling a particularly aggressive form of leukemia. Because she is an African American, it is even harder for her to find a match (about one in a million). Family members are not a logical choice because Jasmina is adopted.
So the drive which was first organized by Thea Anema’s friends has gone national with the help of DKMS America. Churches, civic and non-profits are doing their part and hosting drives (and the organization can walk you through the steps of setting up a drive or becoming a donor yourself). This weekend The African American Museum & Library in Oakland, California, First Baptist Church of Trenton, NJ and The Huntington Avenue YMCA are all urging people to come out and get tested. If you live in the area, please go out to see if you can help Jasmina.
This is what black girls need to do.
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April 4th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I am sending this letter to see if I could possibly be of help to Natalie Cole.I was saddened to hear of her kidney failing,whats even more of a blessingg is somehow in our family tree we are suppose to be related.I aqm a healthy 39yr old blk female with 3 adult children.I reside in Milwaukee Wisconsin,I went to my grandfathers funeral in December 1985 right before Christmas..There was a younger male there his name was Nat King Cole Jr. supposedly named after Natalies father.My father has told us while growing up that they were indeed kin to Natalie Cole,please let me know how I can be of help ASAP I am more than willing to help,not just because she is a celebrity but because our blood may connect in more ways than 1.I would have added my phone number but im not sure if this is posted to the public.May God Bless You,I will forever keep you in my prayers.