Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, is encouraging members of the South Asian community to participate in a bone marrow donor drive on Thursday, September 23 from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The drive is sponsored by the National Marrow Donor Program and 13 local South Asian community organizations and is being held in conjunction with a South Asian community debate on the presidential election.

The drive is inspired by the story of Pia Awal, a New Jersey woman that was diagnosed two years ago with acute myelogenous leukemia, who needs a stem cell or bone marrow transplant to live. Pia's best hope for a donor match is another member of the South Asian community. However, her chances are slim because the community is one of the most under represented in the national bone marrow donor system. To increase her chances of a match, her friends and family have begun a nationwide campaign to increase the number of South Asians in the registry.

Pallone agreed to help with the drive after meeting Tim Dutta, Pia's fiancé, at an Indian community event in New Jersey.

"I was touched by Pia's story and her family's determination to find her a bone marrow donor match," said Pallone. "I hope members of the local South Asian community are inspired by Pia's story and come out and join the national bone marrow donor list. A growing registry provides the best opportunity at survival for Pia and others afflicted with these terrible disorders. I pray that Pia's efforts are successful."