May 26 2021

MINNEAPOLIS – May 26, 2021 – Today, President Biden signed the TRANSPLANT Act which reauthorizes the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program (Program). Since its inception in the mid-1980s, Congress has entrusted National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP)/Be The Match® to operate the Program.

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) were the lead sponsors of the Timely Reauthorization of Necessary Stem-cell Programs Lends Access to Needed Therapies Act (S. 288 and H.R. 941) this year, as they were in the 116th Congress.

“The TRANSPLANT Act’s bipartisan co-sponsors, Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) have joined Sen. Reed and Rep. Matsui as true champions for the thousands of Americans living with blood cancers or blood disorders. Our organization and the patients we serve are extremely grateful for their leadership and continued efforts to expand access to bone marrow transplants,” said NMDP/Be The Match Chief Policy Officer Brian Lindberg. “Through their efforts and now President Biden’s signature, Congress and the Administration is continuing its legacy of bipartisan and bicameral support.”

NMDP has facilitated more than 105,000 transplants, giving patients with otherwise fatal blood cancers or blood disorders a second chance at life. In fact, despite the pandemic, NMDP/Be The Match facilitated more transplants in its Fiscal Year 2020 than in any other year in its history.

“With every reauthorization, Congress has stood with the patients we serve. We are so thankful for our Congressional champions and President Biden’s support, whose own painful experience with cancer has led him to be a fierce advocate in the search for better outcomes for patients with a cancer diagnosis. Today, with his signature on the TRANSPLANT Act, the President is helping ensure that every American who needs a transplant can find a match,” concluded Lindberg.

About Be The Match®

For people with life-threatening blood cancers–like leukemia and lymphoma—or other diseases, a cure exists. Be The Match connects patients with their donor match for a life-saving marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant. People can contribute to the cure as a member of the Be The Match Registry®, financial contributor or volunteer. Be The Match provides patients and their families one-on-one support, education, and guidance before, during and after transplant.

Be The Match is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), a nonprofit organization that matches patients with donors, educates health care professionals and conducts research through its research program, CIBMTR® (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research®), so more lives can be saved. To learn more about the cure, visit BeTheMatch.org or call 1 (800) MARROW-2.