Donor plan helps overseas patients

One hundred forty-four people from overseas have so far received matching stem cells for lifesaving bone marrow transplants from the China Marrow Donor Program under the Red Cross Society of China, according to a program director.

About 1.83 million people, mostly Chinese, were enlisted as stem cell donor volunteers and placed in a data bank by the end of last year, making it the largest program in Asia, said the program's 2013 annual report released on Friday.

Last year, 133 donations were made to overseas patients, and 11 this year.