The Ministry of Health of Jujuy announced on March 31 that it is continuing efforts to promote the National Registry of Bone Marrow Donors, as the registry marks its 23rd anniversary on April 1, which is also recognized as National Bone Marrow Donor Day.
Officials say increasing the number of voluntary donors expands opportunities for patients across Argentina and worldwide who require bone marrow transplants. The registry aims to help those with medical indications for a transplant by connecting them with compatible donors.
Bone marrow is a vital tissue found in bones that produces stem cells responsible for generating white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. These components are essential for immune function, oxygen transport, and blood clotting. For individuals whose blood diseases such as leukemia or lymphoma do not respond to initial chemotherapy treatments, a bone marrow transplant can improve health conditions or be life-saving.
The National Registry is linked to the World Marrow Donor Association network, which includes more than 41 million registered donors from over 63 countries. According to health authorities, approximately 75% of patients with diseases like leukemia or lymphoma cannot find a compatible donor within their family group. This highlights the importance of unrelated volunteer donors in increasing chances for successful matches.
Anyone between ages 18 and 40 who is eligible to donate a unit of blood can register voluntarily at no cost. After registering at the Centro Regional de Hemoterapia (CRH) in Alto Comedero or at mobile collection sites in San Salvador de Jujuy and other locations, a sample will be sent to INCUCAI for genetic studies. Registrants may later be contacted if they are identified as potential matches.
To mark National Bone Marrow Donor Day and ahead of World Health Day, local institutions invite residents to participate in an open flash mob event on Wednesday April 1 at 9:00 am outside Estadio 23 de Agosto in San Salvador de Jujuy.
