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WMDA wants to express our continuous and profound concern for the effects that any conflict impose on patients, caregivers, extended families and all the healthcare providers affected. Our mission to support finding a suitable stem cell donor and caring of patients in need of stem cell transplantation to save their lives has no boundaries and will continue in any location and with anyone who may need our help. Every life is valuable and our history has proven how dialogue, scientific collaborations, and personal relationships have improved access to transplantation in many areas of the world with less resources. On behalf of our members and friends, we advocate for putting safety of patients and their families as well as potential donors among the top priorities of diplomacy in areas of conflict. We also believe that only peace can favor the wellbeing of current and future generations and we are willing to collaborate with any international healthcare support initiative.
Turkey Turkok
At this moment, all Turkok operations are continuing as normal, and there are no disruptions affecting our activities or planned events. We will closely monitor developments and will promptly share any updates if the situation changes.
Armenia Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry
At this time, daily activities in Armenia — including those at ABMDR — continue as normal. Although the closest Iranian border is approximately 350 km from the capital, Yerevan, operations remain stable. We have activated our contacts in Tehran, with whom we have collaborated for many years, particularly on donor recruitment among Armenian communities. Our colleagues have provided the following updates as of now:
- Medical facilities in Tehran remain operational. Hospitals and medical centers have not sustained significant damage, with the exception of one private hospital (Indira Gandhi), which experienced limited structural impact.
- Communication with the Iranian Bone Marrow Registry is currently challenging due to intermittent or unavailable internet connectivity.
- A member of our team in Yerevan has relatives working in Tehran’s medical sector. We expect to receive further verified updates during the next available communication window and will share more detailed information as soon as it becomes available.
We remain in close contact with our partners and are actively monitoring the situation.
The BM Donor Registry stays well and operational as a part of the Shariati Hospital. Nothing bad with it so far.
They express their gratitude for the attention and support.
Israel Ezer Mizion
In light of the change in the security situation in Israel over the weekend, we wish to inform centers regarding the registry's operations: Ezer Mizion BMDR continues to operate as usual.
Our national airport is currently closed to all outgoing commercial flights. We are tracking the flight status daily and are in direct contact with the Israeli airlines and the Ministry of Transportation. Currently, all fresh products are transported with cargo services by Royale International until further notice.
- For ongoing and future Workups, transplant centres should cryopreserve products for now. Cryopreservation has been approved by our Medical Director until further notice.
- Please check the flight status and the availability of couriers with your courier companies as closely as possible regarding the transport timelines. We highly recommend using the services of Royal International. We can assist, or you may contact Royale directly yehuda.shlezinger@royaleinternational.com.
- Please note that VT and pre-collection samples are temporarily delayed as FedEx operations are halted for now.
We will keep you updated on any new developments as they arise. Ezer Mizion BMDR remains dedicated to providing our partners with the best possible service. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need our assistance. You may send your query directly to Yehudit Eitiel - yehudite@bmdr.org.il
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Right now thousands of families are helplessly waiting to hear if a matching stem cell donor can be found. Though only one in four families will get that chance.
That’s where you come in. You can change these odds by supporting WMDA’s Second Chance Campaign! WMDA unites stem cell donors across the globe, creating a unique lifeline.
Your generosity powers that lifeline, connecting more patients to matching stem cell donors. Giving more families more birthdays, more hugs, and more tomorrows.
