Political Quotes

“I wholeheartedly support House Concurrent Resolution 206 supporting the National Marrow Donor Program and other bone marrow donor programs and encouraging Americans to learn about the importance of bone marrow donation. I commend Mr. Burgess for introducing this legislation. The importance of National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and other bone marrow donor programs cannot be overstated. Each year thousands of people are diagnosed with leukemia or other blood diseases which may be cured through a blood stem cell transplant may be a cure. Some will find a matched donor, but many others will have to rely on the kindness of strangers. For those of African-American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Native American, Native Alaskan descent, this is especially challenging. I commend NMDP and other on their education and outreach initiatives particularly those programs aimed at recruiting donors from minority populations. In 1993, the NMDP Registry included 37,601 donors of African-American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Native American, Native Alaskan heritage. As of August 2003, the number is now 1,145,000 donors. This an increase of approximately 3,000 percent. But there is still a critical need for donors from minority populations.”