(TRENTON) – A joint resolution sponsored by Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez to designate the second week in September “Marrow Donation Awareness Week” to help raise awareness about the importance of bone marrow donation was released Thursday by an Assembly committee.
“People suffering from life-threatening diseases like leukemia and sickle cell can benefit from a bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplant,” said Jimenez (D-Bergen/Hudson). “These donations can help save lives. Designating a week to marrow donation awareness can help spread the word about the donation process and hopefully get more people to register as donors.”
The joint resolution (AJR-98) designates the second full week in September of each year as “Marrow Donation Awareness Week” in New Jersey to increase public awareness of the importance of bone marrow and PBSC donation in treating life-threatening blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, sickle cell disease, and other diseases. The joint resolution directs the governor to issue a proclamation recognizing “Marrow Donation Awareness Week”, and calling upon public officials and the citizens of the state to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs.
“Even though racial and ethnic heritage are important factors in matching patients with bone marrow or PBSC donors, there are not enough registry members of diverse racial and ethnic heritage,” added Jimenez. “By highlighting the need for these donations and their potential to save lives during an entire week, we can hopefully encourage more people who have contemplated becoming donors to register, and give people who are waiting for a match not just hope, but a second chance at life.”
The resolution was released by the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee.