NMDP Donor for All: Ensuring every patient finds a match
Blood stem cell transplants can be a life-saving cure for blood cancers and disorders. However, finding a fully matched donor has often been a challenge—especially for patients with diverse ethnic backgrounds. Despite access to over 41 million potential donors through NMDPSM, many patients still face limited options.
At NMDP, we're changing that. Our Donor for All initiative is revolutionizing cell therapy by expanding access to partially matched donors, giving every patient a better chance at receiving the life-saving treatment they deserve.
Explore how the NMDP Donor for All initiative is making a difference.
Changing what’s possible for patients who need a life-saving cure
Our Donor for All initiative aims to safely unlock access to blood stem cell transplant through many innovative research efforts using partially matched donors. These advancements make transplants possible for patients who otherwise would not have had access to a suitable donor, while maintaining outcomes comparable to fully matched transplants.
And the Donor for All research efforts are already paying off for patients and their families.
Donor for All research gave Amelia the chance for a cure
Amelia's chances of finding a fully matched donor were next to impossible. Through a clinical trial supported by the Donor for All initiative, she found a new path to a cure.The ACCESS clinical trial gave Johanna a second chance at life
Johanna didn’t have a fully matched donor on the NMDP Registry. She enrolled in an NMDP-sponsored clinical trial that's part of Donor for All. That breakthrough research saved her life.
Clinical trials support for patients and families
Why the need for Donor for All exists
Patients with diverse ethnic backgrounds have historically faced less than a 50% chance of finding a fully matched donor (8/8 match) due to inherited human leukocyte antigen and underrepresentation on the registry.
This is because donor matches rely on HLA proteins, which are inherited and most often shared by people with similar ethnic backgrounds. Unfortunately, systemic inequities in health care have led to underrepresentation, making it harder for these patients to find a match.
We're working to change this by removing barriers to donation and increasing diversity on the registry. While adding more donors is essential, it’s not enough on its own. Scientific breakthroughs are the key to ensuring every patient has a chance to find a life-saving match.
Breakthrough research brings life-saving treatments to more patients
Learn how your ancestry can save lives
Why we need more African American donors like you
Even with advances in science, Black patients have a harder time finding a suitable match. You can make a difference.
Hispanic and Latino patients need your help
Your Hispanic or Latino ethnic background could be the difference for a patient who needs a life-saving cure.
AANHPI donors like you can be the difference
Your background could be the key to unlocking someone's cure. Explore why we need someone just like you to join the registry.
Native Hawaiian donors can make a life-saving impact
You could be the answer to a patient's search for a cure. Uncover how you can help patients who share your ancestry.
How Donor for All research efforts are paying off
As part of Donor for All, NMDP is sponsoring groundbreaking clinical trials—15-MMUD, ACCESS and OPTIMIZE—led by CIBMTR® (a collaboration between the Medical College of Wisconsin® and NMDP). These trials use blood stem cells from partially matched donors and a drug called post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy), which has transformed transplant care by reducing the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a serious and potentially life-threatening complication.
Our research findings advance our ability to offer more options to patients without a fully matched donor, many of whom are ethnically diverse and have been underserved in receiving potentially life-saving cell therapy.
STEVEN DEVINE, MD
Chief Medical Officer, NMDP; Senior Scientific Director, CIBMTR
Significantly increasing the odds of finding a life-saving match
Results from the 15-MMUD and ACCESS clinical trials show that patients can safely receive a blood stem cell transplant using cells from a partially matched donor (5/8-7/8) cs with outcomes comparable to fully matched donors.
That's important because research from NMDP shows that using partially matched donors means nearly every patient can find a suitable match—offering life-saving hope to more patients.
Only 66%
Now, 84%
NEARLY 100%
The clinical trials are impacting equitable access to transplant, too. About 50% of patients in both the 15-MMUD and ACCESS clinical trials have ethnically diverse ancestries. In most transplant clinical trials, that number is less than 20%.
Two of the clinical trials continue to enroll patients:
- ACCESS clinical trial (Opens in a new tab) for pediatric group only
- OPTIMIZE clinical trial (Opens in a new tab) for adults
Help us make a life-saving difference for patients
Discover how you can support the transformative Donor for All research to advance cures for all patients.