Stem cell transplants from unrelated donors save four lives in Romania

Four lives were saved so far through stem cell transplants from unrelated donors, performed in Romanian hospitals, reads a statement of the Health Ministry. The Donate a chance for life communication campaign promoting the donation of hematopoietic stem cells, the blood cells that give rise to all the other blood cells, was recently launched in Romania. The campaign is organized by the National Registry of Hematopoietic Stem Cells Volunteer Donors (RNDVCSH) and supported by the Ministry of Health. Romania’s RNDVCSH is the the institution responsible for the coordination and surveillance of all activities regarding the recruitment, testing and hematopoietic stem cell donation from unrelated donors. One of the Registry’s main activities is to organize and maintain a complex data base of volunteer donors of stem cells, but also of patients who need a transplant. RNDVCSH’s mission also includes promoting the idea of donation among people aged between 19 and 45, who can sign up as volunteer donors. The donation is voluntary, anonymous and unpaid, according to a statement of the Health Ministry. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com