Acute shortage of bone marrow donors, says AIIMS research dean

At least 1.25 lakh patients require bone marrow transplants every year but only 500 are fortunate to go through the process as there is a dearth of donors in the country, Research dean of AIIMS Narendra Mehra said here today and appealed the youth to come forward for the noble cause.
Bone marrow is required to help patients with blood cancer and other disorders.
"There is a dearth of bone marrow in India as it needs 1.25 lakh bone marrow transplants every years due to acute shortage of donors," Mehra said.
With great difficulty, only 500 bone marrows are transplant every year, he said, adding that there are only 3,000 people who have volunteered themselves as donors.

"A pool of bone marrow donor has been created. Awareness drives are required to inculcate knowledge in youths about donating bone marrow," he said.
Dr Mehra was addressing a programme organised in an institute here.