Shaka Mitchell, J.D., adjunct instructor of political science, was recently interviewed on NBC’s “Rock Center with Brian Williams.” The June 14 program segment was about a woman challenging bone marrow donation law in order to save her daughter’s life. Mitchell, a 2001 alumnus of Belmont and an attorney, was interviewed on his beliefs in allowing bone marrow donors to be compensated in order to encourage more potential donors and save lives.
Currently, Mitchell is president of MoreMarrowDonors.org, a nonprofit that is among the first of its kind that would compensate bone marrow donors if the law changes. The pilot program wouldn’t compensate in cash, but rather in the form of scholarships, housing stipends or gifts to charity. That money would come from private donations, not from the patients themselves. It’s an incentive that advocates believe will change the attrition rate, motivating more donors to participate when called upon to help patients with various blood diseases.
Click here to read more and to view a short video clip and recap on the news segment.
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Ranked No. 7 in the Regional Universities South category and named for the fifth consecutive year as one of the top “Up-and-Comer” universities by U.S. News & World Report, Belmont University consists of approximately 6,650 students who come from every state and 25 countries. Committed to being a leader among teaching universities, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The university’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs, a fact made evident in the University’s hometown, Nashville, where students served more than 60,000 hours of community service (valued at $450,000) during the last academic year. Belmont is also home to the World Cup champion Enactus team, a group of 42 student leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. With more than 80 areas of study, 23 master’s programs and five doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon. For more information visit www.belmont.edu