Marrow Donation Lost an Important Advocate

On behalf of the staff and supporters of the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), I’d like to share our condolences with Effi Barry’s family, friends and loved ones for their loss.

Ms. Barry was one of thousands of Americans who are currently in need of a marrow or cord blood transplant. Many individuals, especially African Americans, are unable to find a match within their own family and must rely on the NMDP Registry to search for a match. While there are more than 6 million volunteer donors listed on the NMDP Registry, fewer than 500,000 identified themselves as African American, who are least likely to find a match.

The NMDP appreciates Ms. Barry’s courage and compassion in sharing the message about the need for African American marrow donors in the community. Effi will be missed by those of us who supported her in her search.

The NMDP serves a vital role in the health care system. As the primary contractor in the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, the organization serves as a single point of access for transplant patients through its role as the Bone Marrow Coordinating Center, Cord Blood Coordinating Center, and the Office of Patient Advocacy. With its research partner, the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), the NMDP collects and analyzes marrow and cord blood transplant outcomes data to help improve transplants for patients. Since its inception in 1987, the NMDP has facilitated more than 25,000 transplants.

Jeffrey W. Chell, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer
National Marrow Donor Program