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Student organization makes good on mission  by Chris West Public Relations One MUSC student organization’s latest endeavor seeks to raise awareness and numbers in the name of minority issues and health care. The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is the oldest and largest student organization dedicated to people of color and underserved communities. One mission of the association pits them against disparities within health care. The MUSC chapter of SNMA is adhering to this mission in sponsoring a minority organ, tissue and bone marrow drive on April 20. Student National Medical Association members Leeya Pinder, from left, Sheryl Montgomery and Nicole Price. Spearheaded by co-presidents Leeya Pinder and Sheryl Montgomery and community service chair Nicole Price, the drive is aimed at raising awareness of minority issues surrounding health care and the disparities within, as well as raising the representation and participation of minorities in organ, tissue and bone marrow donation. Minorities currently account for a small percentage of donations while having disproportionately high rates of chronic illnesses. The truth lies in the numbers and the current numbers are striking.  Of the 4.5 million people on the national bone marrow registry, five to eight percent represent donors of minority status. But of the 77,000 persons on the national transplant waiting list, minorities account for 42 percent of the list with more than 21,000 representing African Americans. Sixteen people die each day waiting for a donated organ, yet every 14 minutes, a new name is added to the national waiting list. The students concurred that the drive was especially important now because of two South Carolina African American males, aged 10 and 30, who are currently waiting for a bone marrow donor match. Pinder, Montgomery and Price are hoping that suitable donors will register at the drive during the weekend and the life-saving steps of transplant can begin for the two men.  While drumming support from local community resources such as churches, civic associations, multicultural organizations and local media, the drive is also being heavily supported by the American Red Cross and the South Carolina Organ Procurement Association. At the drive, participants will be able to register for and receive general information regarding organ donation. With two tablespoons worth of drawn blood, participants can be placed on the national bone marrow registry where they will remain until the age of 61. “It is important to add that while the drive is in support of increasing minority numbers reflected in donation and registration, no potential donors will be turned away,” said Pinder, Montgomery and Price.  The minority organ, tissue and bone marrow drive will be held from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. April 20 in the MUSC Library/Administration Building lobby.    For information regarding the drive, contact the Office of Diversity at 792-2146.