May 16 2011

Be The Match Foundation^®, a national nonprofit that helps patients in need of a marrow transplant, has announced a new member to its board of directors: Barbara Peterson Burwell, a long-time philanthropist and dedicated community servant.

“We are so honored to welcome Barbara Burwell to the Be The Match Foundation Board of Directors. Barbara’s dedication and service to her community is both well known and well respected. Her drive is just what we need as we work to expand and help the growing number of patients in need of a marrow transplant,” said Christine Fleming, president of Be The Match Foundation.

Every year, more than 10,000 patients in the U.S. are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma and their best or only hope for a cure is a marrow transplant from an unrelated donor.

Most patients (about 70 percent) in need of a transplant do not have a matching donor in their family. They depend on Be The Match^® to help them find unrelated marrow donors and receive the transplant they need.

In addition to her service with Be The Match Foundation, Burwell currently serves on boards with worldwide missions including the Minnesota Orchestral Association, YMCA of Minneapolis, University of Denver Parent Council, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, United Way Women in Leadership, American Swedish Institute, the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center Community Advisory Board, the Children’s Theater, Lundstrum Center of the Performing Arts, and the Breck School. She is actively engaged in the Burwell Family Foundation.

Burwell is a former Miss USA and graduate of St. Olaf College with a triple major in speech communications, political science and American studies. Her extensive travel and outstanding public speaking add a key dimension to Be The Match Foundation. She has been recognized as one of America’s Outstanding Women of Achievement and honored by the University of Minnesota as a Distinguished Woman of Minnesota.

About Be The Match Foundation

Be The Match Foundation raises funds to help patients who need a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant from an unrelated donor. Be The Match Foundation works with individuals, corporations, other foundations and community groups to raise funds for three crucial needs. It funds transplant research to help more patients live longer, healthier lives. It provides financial grants to patients who need help with uninsured treatment costs. And, it raises money to grow the Be The Match Registry^® of potential marrow donors, increasing the chances that more patients find their match. Be The Match Foundation supports the National Marrow Donor Program^® (NMDP), which operates Be The Match Registry. For more information, visit BeTheMatchFoundation.org or call 1 (800) 507-5427.