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UAW Sponsors Detroit Bone Marrow Drive

8 September 1998

Bone Marrow Drive in Detroit Being Sponsored by UAW Region 1A

    DETROIT, Sept. 8 -- Every year, thousands of Americans die
from Leukemia, Aplastic Anemia and other fatal blood diseases.  Racial and
ethnic minorities are particularly at risk due to the lack of minority donors
to provide bone marrow matches.
    To address the need for bone marrow donors, with a special concern for
racial and ethnic minorities, UAW Region 1A and Holy Redeemer Catholic Church
in southwest Detroit, are sponsoring a weekend-long Bone Marrow Drive from
Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13.
    Prospective bone marrow donors between the ages of 18 an 60 can join a
registry that will identify them for possible donations to patients in need of
transplants.  Registration will take place in the Blue Room of Holy Redeemer,
located at 1721 Junction near Vernor Street.  The hours for the drive are 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 12:30 p.m. through 6 p.m. on
Sunday.
    "UAW Region 1A is happy to co-sponsor this much-needed effort to increase
the number of people on the bone marrow donor registry, especially donors who
are racial and ethnic minorities," stated UAW Region 1A Director Gerald
Bantom.
    "Taking just a few moments to register can make a tremendous difference in
the life of another human being," Bantom said, concluding, "Each time a person
joins the registry they offer hope that a life may be saved."
    For more information, call 800-MARROW 2 (800-627-7692), or James Settles
or Ray Church at UAW Region 1A, 313-291-2750.