"More than 6 million people are listed on the National Marrow Donor registry. Of that number, 75,000 people identify as Native, or about 1 percent of all potential donors. The percentage of Native marrow donors mirrors Native people's percentage of the U.S. population.

Still, a great need exists to increase the number of donors because it can be difficult to find a marrow or blood cell donor match. Only about 30 percent of people suffering from a blood disease, such as leukemia, find a marrow match within their own family.

That's why the national office of the American Indian Business Leadership organization is working with the National Marrow Donor Program by hosting donor registry drives at six state and tribal college campuses in Wisconsin, Montana, South Dakota and New Mexico.

The kickoff is in Missoula at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Bonner Park, which coincides with the annual University of Montana welcome-back picnic for new and returning Native students."

Get the Story:
Great need exists for Native marrow donors (the Missoulian 9/6)

Relevant Links:
Jodi Rave - http://www.missoulian.com/jodirave

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