Breaking Down Barriers Should Be Encouraged
In a significant gathering of medical professionals and advocates, the III International Conference "Bone Marrow Donor Registries: Present and Future" took place on September 11 in Moscow. The event, sponsored by Russian Post, "Invitro", VDNH, FESCO, "BioHimMak", "DNA-Technology", "Diagema", Sesana, "Rexoft", "Dobro.ru", "Dobro.Media", Russian Society of Pediatric Oncologists and Hematologists, "Doctor at Work", and others, aimed to discuss the latest developments and future prospects in bone marrow donation and transplantation.
One of the key highlights of the conference was the discussion on legal regulation of bone marrow donation worldwide and gaps in Russian legislation, led by experts from the Faculty of Law of the Higher School of Economics National University. The session underscored the need for a comprehensive and up-to-date legal framework to support and facilitate bone marrow donation in Russia.
Sber, a prominent Russian corporation, shared its corporate project in which over 4,000 employees and their relatives joined the National Registry. This initiative demonstrates the growing awareness and importance of bone marrow donation within the Russian community.
Russian Post launched a remote (by mail) registration system for the National RDKM in 2021, resulting in 30,000 Russians becoming potential donors and 30 unrelated transplants being performed. This innovative approach has significantly expanded the pool of potential donors and provided life-saving opportunities for patients in need.
Innokenty Dementev, Deputy General Director of the Fund for Presidential Grants, discussed state support for public initiatives in the field of donation and healthcare. His speech highlighted the importance of governmental backing in fostering a culture of donation and ensuring access to essential medical services.
Maria Portnyagina, special correspondent of the Russian Charity Fund, attended the conference, providing valuable insights and coverage of the event.
Alexander Rumyantsev, Academic of the Russian Academy of Sciences, spoke about the development of cellular technologies in Russia as an important direction in the treatment of severe oncological diseases. His presentation offered a glimpse into the future of cancer treatment and the role of cellular technologies in this field.
A separate session focused on cooperation with registries and clinics in countries that are members and partners of BRICS. This session emphasised the importance of international collaboration in the field of bone marrow donation and transplantation.
Samir Arora, a neurologist and donor from DATRI, India's largest NGO registry, shared his hematopoietic cells to help a Russian patient in 2022, resulting in a successful transplant for 17-year-old Kristina Zubareva. This cross-border collaboration underscores the global nature of bone marrow donation and the importance of registries working together to save lives.
The National Society for Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Gene and Cellular Therapy (RUSBMT) was established with a goal to ensure the interaction of specialists, including in the development of regulatory frameworks and standards for donation. This organisation will play a crucial role in advancing bone marrow donation and transplantation in Russia.
Despite extensive research, there is no information available about the countries participating in the conference apart from Russia, China, India, Brazil, Turkey, or the BRICS countries. Further investigation is needed to understand the global scope and impact of this significant event.
Specialists from leading medical centers participated in the session "New Horizons in Transplantation and Donation: From Compatibility to Rehabilitation." This session offered insights into the latest advancements in transplantation and donation, providing a roadmap for future developments in the field.
"Invitro" has a project that allows every Russian citizen to join the registry by donating a blood sample for free at any of the company's medical offices, with over 52,000 people having already taken advantage of this opportunity. This initiative demonstrates the growing public interest in bone marrow donation and the potential for widespread participation in registries.
The III International Conference "Bone Marrow Donor Registries: Present and Future" served as a platform for experts, advocates, and the general public to discuss and learn about the latest developments in bone marrow donation and transplantation. The event underscored the importance of international collaboration, governmental support, and public engagement in advancing this life-saving practice.
