World Marrow Donor Day 2021 - Thank You Donors!

Join us on September 18th!

The World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA), a global association of blood stem cell, marrow and/or cord blood registries or organisations representing over 39 million blood stem cell donors from 55 different countries, announces the celebration of the 7th World Marrow Donor Day (WMDD) on 18th September 2021. Following the past six years of successful celebrations of this special day, the world again will come together on the 3rd Saturday of September. The primary purpose is to thank all donors and highlight global cooperation in blood stem cell transplantation. 

“The World Marrow Donor Association was established 27 years ago to ensure that donations of stem cells by altruistic volunteers could find their way to the patients who needed them, independent of geography and politics. World Marrow Donor Day is the embodiment of the value, respect and indeed love we in the transplantation community (and particularly the patients suffering from life-threatening diseases and their families) offer to our donors. It is only one day but it reflects what we think year-round in a concentrated way.” – Jeff Szer, Past President of the WMDA.

Due to the ongoing global pandemic WMDA has again decided to celebrate WMDD 2021 virtually. This year’s online event will be a 24hr Live Stream, broadcasted on YouTube (https://youtu.be/lVwJp5hJDuM)  and made possible in collaboration with Golden Partner and supporter of the event,  time:matters, a global courier company that specialises in life-saving transports.

On every continent, patients, donors, blood stem cell and cord blood organisations have prepared videos to share in the celebration and to spread awareness. 

What can we (you) do?

First and foremost, we want to express our gratitude to all of those parents who have donated their child's cord blood to the Arizona Public Cord Blood Program. This outstanding state-run collection program has given Arizonian parents the possibility to donate directly thanks to participating hospitals in the Arizona.  As the Official Education Partner for this program, we know how hard the AZ Public Cord Blood program team works to collect, process, store and distribute these life-saving cord blood units. We want to take this opportunity on World Marrow Donor Day to say THANK YOU!

Second, we want to ask you to learn more. Take advantage of the World Marrow Donor Day live stream to learn more about the Arizona Public Cord Blood Program. Join the live stream to watch our interview with Kristen Wilt, nurse and cord blood program co-ordinator at the Tucson Medical Center. She will explain in detail how cord blood collection works, how cord blood units are used and what makes the Arizona program special. It's a must see for parents and anyone wanting to understand how cord blood donation works. 

Show your support and watch the live stream (starting September 18th), click "I SUPPORT SAVING LIVES": 

Third, we ask you to share what you learn. Many families contact us frustrated that cord blood donation is not possible at their local hospital. Unfortunately, an easy answer does not exist. Public donation programs will only increase if awareness increases. You can help! Please share what you learn about public cord blood donation with the decision makers at your local hospital, local government and local parent groups.  Even one conversation could save a life. ​

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About World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA)

Worldwide, over 50,000 patients per year are looking for a matched donor outside their family. About 50% of the patients that find a donor find his or her perfectly matched donor in another country. WMDA works towards a global standardisation by establishing an accreditation programme for organisations that provide blood stem cells for patients in need of a transplant. The accreditation programme ensures both welfare of the donors and provision of high-quality stem cells for patients worldwide.

To learn more about WMDD or WMDA, visit: www.worldmarrowdonorday.org or www.wmda.info