Date: Oct 07, 2009

Hofstra University Physician Assistant Students Host Bone Marrow Registry Drive

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY — The Hofstra Society of Physician Assistant Students will mark National Physician Assistants week with a daylong bone marrow registry drive on Oct. 13.

The marrow drive, which will be held in the Student Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is being sponsored with Be The Match foundation, the national marrow donor program. This event was planned to coincide with the Hofstra University blood drive, in the hope that individuals will consider undergoing bone marrow testing at the same time that they donate blood.

"Seventy percent of patients aren't able to find a compatible tissue match within their family," said Alex Wicker, PA-S, vice president of the Hofstra University Society of Physician Assistant Students.  "It would be a true honor for us to find at least one donor match through our bone marrow registry drive. We are inspired by the opportunity to save a life."

National Physician Assistants Week, which runs from Oct. 6-12, is designed to recognize and highlight the work and growth of the profession. About 75,000 physician assistants are working in virtually every medical setting across the country, providing a range of medical care, according to the American Academy of Physician Assistants. In New York state alone, there are nearly 8,000 clinically-practicing PAs. In 2008, there were more than 250 million patient visits to physician assistants.

The mission of the Hofstra University Society of Physician Assistant Students is to be an advocate for the PA profession and to provide service to better the University and larger community. The Hofstra University Society of Physician Assistant Students is officially recognized by the American Academy of Physician Assistants.