Need for Cord Blood Donors Grows

A new report on MSN.com highlights the growing need for cord blood donors in the United States. Currently, there are over 10 million people in the country currently awaiting transplants that could save their lives, but the transplant list just continues to grow.

According to the American Health Resources and Services Administration, there is a gap growing between donors and patients. The number of individuals in need of transplants continues to grow much faster than the number of those donating cord blood or bone marrow.

“Not enough people are registered to donate bone marrow or umbilical cord blood to provide an adequate chance for every person in need to find an appropriate genetic match”, says Mary Ganikos of the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Although the number of stem cell transplants increases every year (from 4820 in 2009 to 5228 in 2010), an increase of donors is also needed to give the growing number of patients a fighting chance at survival.

On February 14th, National Donor Day will take place, during which healthcare professionals from across the nation will encourage people to show their support.  

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/first-aid/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100269749