Peru currently has an approximate registry of 10,000 bone marrow donors, but it needs to add eight thousand more to be able to enter the Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide, which will increase the chances of finding a compatible donor anywhere in the world.
Dr. Luz Esperanza Meza Vargas, general director of the General Department of Donations, Transplants and Blood Bank (Pronahebas) of the Ministry of Health, said that today there is 20% chance for a person who needs a transplant to find a donor, but entering this registry the possibilities will increase between 70% to 80% for the Peruvian patients, explained Andina News Agency.
“Being part of this registry will allow patients to increase their chances of finding a compatible donor anywhere in the world and have the transplant that will save their lives,” said Meza.
Currently, the Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide has a database of 30 million donors from around the world. In Peru, the transplants take place only among relatives, but the objective now is to do non-related transplants in the country.
Bone Marrow Donation Day is celebrated on September 16 and anyone between 18 and 50 years old can join the effort. They need to weigh more than 50 kilos, do a test to identify their genetic code and “join the army of bone marrow donors”, said Andina.