First Korea-Japan Marrow Exchanged
The Korea Marrow Bank Association on May 14 announced that it will transplant a Japanese donor's bone marrow, which was delivered by plane, into a Korean patient.So far, 49 patients have received bone marrow from non-relatives through the association.
A donor exchange agreement between Korea and Japan was signed last March, and presently 11 domestic patients are waiting for the life-saving marrow transplant.
Chun Yong Shik, general secretary to the association, said, 'Yoido's St.Mary Hospital has unofficially transplanted three Japanese marrow donations, but this is the very first time an official transplant will be performed since the signing.'
As of April, Korea holds 18,500 marrow donors and 470 patients requiring a transplant, while Japan has 110,000 volunteers and 6,000 candidates waiting for a suitable donor.
Hwashik Bong : trojans@joongang.co.kr
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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