Even as more people are coming forward to register for bone marrow transplants, doctors maintain that the numbers are still not enough to meet the needs of leukemia and other blood cancer patients in the country.

In India 40,000 patients need bone marrow transplant on a given day. "Of the total blood cancer patients, one third will find a match in brothers or sisters but the rest will not get a match and hence a registry of unrelated donors is important. India needs at least 1,00,000 donors to make a strong database for match," said Dr Navin Khatri, secretary, Marrow Donor Registry (India), Tata Memorial Hospital.

At present, around 1,700 donors have registered with the Marrow Donor Registry (India) based in Tata Memorial Hospital. "In 2004, there were attempts to make marrow donor registry with funds from government. But it did not work out. In 2009, Marrow Donor Registry (India) was set up with the help of its counterpart in UK," said Dr Sunil Parekh, chairman, Marrow Donor Registry.

On World Cancer Day today, doctors will urge people to pledge as donors. "We have posted two short films of four minutes each on Youtube. The idea is to create awareness among youngsters," said Dr Parekh. "We also go to companies, colleges, social and religious organisations, clubs and distribute booklets and pamphlets," said Dr Neelam Nizara incharge of blood bank at Raheja Hospital.

There are around three ways to donate bone marrow. "The donor receives anesthesia. The doctors use hollow needles to withdraw liquid marrow. Donor might feel soreness in the lower back for a few days but the marrow will be completely replenished within four to six weeks," said Dr Parekh.

The second way is through peripheral blood stem cell donation. "This is to increase the number of blood-forming cells . Donor may experience side effects like headache or bone, muscle ache. The blood will be removed through a sterile needle," said Dr Parekh.