The number of active stem cell donor candidates of Turkish Red Crescent exceeded 1 million 250 thousand

A written statement was made by the Turkish Red Crescent regarding World Bone Marrow Donor Day.

Accordingly, within the scope of the Turkish Stem Cell Coordination Center (TÜRKÖK) project, which is carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the Turkish Red Crescent undertakes the tasks of donor acquisition, matching and transplant planning, health control of donors, accommodation and transportation needs, as well as the rapid and safe delivery of the collected cellular products to the transplant centers.

With the participation of 39 thousand 631 new donor candidates in the first 8 months of this year, the Red Crescent reached a total of 1 million 251 thousand 677 active stem cell donor candidates. 63 percent of donor candidates were men and 37 percent were women.

In the statement, Turkish Red Crescent President Prof. Dr. Fatma Meriç Yılmaz's evaluations were also included.

In his evaluation on the occasion of World Bone Marrow Donor Day, Yılmaz noted the following:

"Today, we have more than 1 million 251 thousand volunteer donor candidates, a great hope for our patients waiting for a stem cell transplant. With the TÜRKÖK project, we assume an important responsibility at every stage of the process, from donor recruitment to matching and transplant planning. As our number of donors increases, the possibility of matching our patients waiting for transplant with a compatible donor candidate increases, which increases the hope of our patients and their families. I would like to thank all our donor candidates, who are part of this great hope and solidarity, for their sensitivity."

Any healthy citizen between the ages of 18-35 who wants to become a stem cell donor can apply to Red Crescent blood donation points.

Following the application, three tubes of blood taken from donor candidates who have completed the TÜRKÖK Information and Consent Form are subjected to the necessary tests, and the results are transferred to the TÜRKÖK Bone Marrow Bank database and the person is included in the system as a donor candidate.

Source: TRT Haber Sağlık RSS (Open Press / Translated Full Text)