News
View the latest transplant news and stories.
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Survivorship Care Plan Improves Patient Cancer Care-related Distress Levels for Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients
December 2017Results from a recent multicenter study presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting -
Mills Brings 20 Years of Experience Advancing Cell Therapy Organizations to Global Nonprofit
May 2017May 02 2017 MINNEAPOLIS - May 2, 2017 - Be The Match ® announced today that C. Randal Mills, Ph.D., will join the organization as chief executive officer on June 30. Mills will succeed Jeffrey W. Chell, M.D., who is retiring from the organization in November after 17 years. Be The Match is a non-pro
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Nation’s Bone Marrow Program Formally Requests Additional Funds from Congress to Address Growing Patient Need for Life-Saving Transplants
March 2017NMDP/Be The Match Press Release – Written testimony submitted by National Marrow Donor Program CEO Dr. Jeffrey Chell outlines urgent need to diversify cord blood and bone marrow banks to reach more ethnic groups, older patients. -
Minnesota Family Donates $1.25M to Be The Match Foundation to Support Patients Searching for Clinical Trials
January 2017NMDP/Be The Match Press Release – Every year, thousands of patients are diagnosed with blood cancers and other life-threatening diseases — and for many patients, treatments through clinical trials provide hope and potential cures. But for patients and their families, the process of finding and enrolling in clinical trials can be a challenging, frustrating process.
That is why the Carter family of Wayzata, Minn., has provided a generous $1.25 million donation to Be The Match Foundation®, the fundraising organization that supports Be The Match®, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on saving lives through bone marrow and umbilical cord blood transplantation. Be The Match will use the provided funds to create and promote The Jason Carter Clinical Trials Program, which will help blood cancer patients identify and enroll in clinical trials more efficiently.
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The American Society of Hematology and Partners Receive Grant to Address Knowledge Gaps in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Care
November 2016NMDP/Be The Match Press Release – The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has partnered with several organizations on independent educational programming designed to help address knowledge gaps in the diagnosis and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), the National Marrow Donor Program®/Be The Match®, and The France Foundation have joined ASH to create and implement a specialized curriculum, titled “Acute Myeloid Leukemia MATTERS: A Multidisciplinary Approach To Testing and Diagnosis, Evaluation of Risk, and Personalized Treatment Selection.” -
National Marrow Donor Program-Be The Match Applauds CMS for Bone Marrow Transplant and Cord Blood Policies in HOPPS Proposed Rule
July 2016NMDP/Be The Match Press Release – The National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP)/Be The Match®, which operates the nation’s Be The Match Registry® of potential adult volunteer marrow donors and donated umbilical cord blood units, today applauded the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services(CMS) for its proposed hospital outpatient prospective payment system (HOPPS) rule that would increase reimbursement to address the deficits marrow and cord blood transplant centers incur for specimen acquisition costs. -
National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Be The Match Forms New Cellular Therapies Subsidiary
January 2016NMDP/Be The Match Press Release -- National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP)/Be The Match®, the national organization that connects patients with their donor match for a life-saving bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant, today announced the formation of Be The Match BioTherapiesSM, a subsidiary that will focus on partnering with organizations pursuing new life-saving treatments in cellular therapy. -
National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)Be The Match Applauds Passage of H.R. 2820, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2015
December 2015NMDP/Be The Match Press Release – The National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP)/Be The Match®, which operates the national Be The Match Registry® of adult volunteer marrow donors and donated umbilical cord blood units, applauds Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Doris Matsui (D-CA), David Jolly (R-FL), and Chaka Fattah (D-PA) for their leadership in obtaining unanimous passage in the House on December 16 of H.R. 2820, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2015. -
Prospective Study Shows Age Doesn’t Affect Survival Outcomes in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Who Receive a Hematopoietic Cell Transplant (HCT)
December 2015NMDP/Be The Match Press Release – Results from a prospective study of 1,280 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) showed that survival at 100 days and at two years following hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) for patients aged 65 and older is comparable to patients aged 55 to 64. -
Fire Department of New York Presented with Rod Carew Leadership Award
May 2015NMDP/Be The Match Press Release — Be The Match® will honor the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) with the Rod Carew Leadership Award, which is presented annually to an extraordinary community leader for their dedication to saving lives -
International Marrow Donor Registries Reach 25 Million Potential Donors
March 2015NMDP/Be The Match Press Release – This week, Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide (BMDW) and the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) announced that a record 25 million people worldwide are currently listed as potential volunteer marrow donors in hopes of saving the lives of those battling life-threatening blood cancers and diseases. -
The National Marrow Donor Program Be The Match Applauds Reps. Jolly and Matsui for Creating Congressional Caucus to Increase Awareness about Transplants
January 2015NMDP/Be The Match Press Release — The National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP)/Be The Match® CEO Dr. Jeffrey Chell expressed his gratitude to U.S. Congressional Reps. David Jolly (R-FL) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) for their creation of the Congressional Caucus to Cure Blood Cancers and Other Blood Disorders. -
HIV-Positive Patients with Lymphoma Should No Longer be Excluded From Receiving Blood Stem Cell Transplants as Treatment
December 2014NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - HIV-positive patients with lymphoma were previously excluded from receiving autologous blood stem cell transplants as treatment, because of concern that these patients’ compromised immune systems would have a higher risk of infection and poor graft function due to their need for HIV medications. Results from the clinical trial, presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) meetings on December 8 at 4:45 p.m. PST, show the concern of additional risk is unfounded -
Similar Survival Rates in Children with High Risk Blood Cancers Transplanted with One Versus Two Umbilical Cord Blood Units
October 2014NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - Based on promising early studies, a new study was performed to compare transplant outcomes in children transplanted with one or two partially matched cord blood units. According to the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, survival rates were high in both treatment arms with no differences in survival whether transplanted with one or two units. -
Large Majority of Patients Who Need Unrelated Bone Marrow Transplants Can Find a Matching Donor on the National Be The Match Registry
July 2014NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - An overwhelming percentage of patients who need an unrelated bone marrow transplant will have a suitably matched, available donor on the Be The Match Registry ® , operated by the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP)/Be The Match® , according to a new study published yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine. -
Dr. Mary Horowitz Presented with Lifetime Achievement Award for Blood and Marrow Transplant Research
March 2014National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match Press Release - Mary Horowitz, M.D., M.S., the Robert A. Uihlein, Jr. Chair in Hematologic Research, professor of medicine and chief of hematology and oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), was presented with the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) at the organization’s annual meeting. The award recognizes her involvement and support of the blood and marrow transplant community, and her past, present and current stewardship of both CIBMTR® (the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research®) and the Clinical Trials Network. She was also commended for her commitment to mentoring the next generation of clinical scientists. -
Robin Roberts Collaborates with Be The Match and Stand Up To Cancer
February 2014NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - Two-time cancer survivor and Be The Match Ambassador of Hope, Robin Roberts is starting 2014 by raising awareness with a public service announcement (PSA) campaign collaboration between Be The Match and Stand Up To Cancer®, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
Robin, anchor of Good Morning America, debuted these new PSAs on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The PSAs, titled “I Beat Cancer. Twice” and “Focus on the Fight. Not The Fright,” emphasize two critical ways to help save the lives of patients battling blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma: supporting cutting-edge research and increasing the number of volunteer bone marrow donors on the national Be The Match Registry.
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No Significant Difference in Long-Term Experiences of Marrow & PBSC Donors
January 2014National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match Press Release - A study published in Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (BBMT) gives donors confidence that there are no differences in long-term health issues when donating bone marrow versus peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC).
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Race Matters When a Patient Needs a Stem Cell or Marrow Transplant
August 2013NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - Washington Post contributor Arthur Allen wrote an article about the importance of adding more diverse members to the national Be The Match Registry. -
National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Names Amy Ronneberg CFO
June 2013NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - The National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP) and Be The Match® today announced that Amy Ronneberg will be joining the organization on July 15 as chief financial officer (CFO). Ronneberg’s breadth of expertise and experience in strategic financial planning will be instrumental in her new role.
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NMDP/Be The Match Named Top Minnesota Workplace
June 2013NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - The National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), also publicly known as Be The Match®, is one of the Top 100 Workplaces in Minnesota for the third year in a row, based on results from the Star Tribune’s annual employee survey. The NMDP and Be The Match was ranked No. 29 on the list of large companies, those employing 500 or more. -
New Research Shows Significant Improvement in Overall Survival Outcomes for Patients Receiving Blood Stem Cell Transplants
May 2013NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - Survival rates have increased significantly among patients who received blood stem cell transplants from both related and unrelated donors, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology today. The study authors attribute the increase to several factors, including advances in HLA tissue typing, better supportive care and earlier referral for transplantation.
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World-Champion Boxer Robert Guerrero Teams Up With Be The Match
February 2013NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - Bone marrow donated from a total stranger saved Robert Guerrero’s wife. Now the grateful world champion boxer is joining Be The Match® in the fight to make life-saving marrow transplants available for every blood cancer patient who needs one.
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1 Millionth Blood Stem Cell Transplant Marks Major Medical Milestone
January 2013NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - The collaborative work of medical scientists and physicians across the globe has resulted in a major medical milestone: the world’s 1 millionth blood stem cell transplant, a procedure that has become a proven and essential therapy for many patients battling blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, as well as other critical diseases.
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Be The Match Marshals Social Volunteers to Help Save Lives on MLK Day of Service
January 2013NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - Americans turn out in force every year to help their neighbors in need during the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, putting their time toward building communities and improving lives.
This year, Be The Match® is tapping the power of social media to provide another way for people to take part in this important day of community service, which honors one of the most inspirational leaders in the nation’s history.
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Eleven Awards Honor Outstanding Contributions to Be The Match
December 2012NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - Individuals and organizations from across the U.S. were recognized by Be The Match® on Nov. 9 at the nonprofit organization’s 25th Annual Council Meeting in Minneapolis. -
New Research Shows Significant Improvement in Survival
December 2012NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - Survival rates have increased significantly over the past decade among patients with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases who received blood stem cell transplants from donors outside of their families, according to new research.
Results of the recent study – presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology in Atlanta – showed that the one-year survival rate for all unrelated transplant patients improved 12 to 13 percent between 2000 and 2009, and a large percentage of patients improvements through their three-year follow-up.
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Study Compares Unrelated Marrow and PBSC Transplant Outcomes
October 2012NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - A large prospective, randomized study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) compared outcomes of patients receiving transplantation with either peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) or bone marrow from unrelated donors. While there was no difference in patient survival rates between these two major sources of donated blood cells, the study showed differences in the type and extent of complications.
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Mother of two will finally meet the young man who saved her life
August 2012NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - Erika Turner was a busy mom of two teenage boys and working full-time at a local hospital, so when she started feeling tired and noticed a bit of bruising on her body, she wasn’t immediately suspicious. But a resident at the hospital pointed out that it looked like her platelets were low, and encouraged Erika to have it checked out. After numerous tests that week, Erika was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) with Philadelphia positive chromosome in September 2010.
Doctors knew immediately that Erika would need a bone marrow transplant to survive. Now, two years after receiving a life-saving transplant, Erika will finally be able to thank Christopher, her donor, in person. The two will be introduced for the first time live on ABC’s Good Morning America on Wednesday, Aug. 22.
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Marrow Transplant Patients and Advocates Rally Congress to Support Be The Match
July 2012NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - People from across the country whose lives have been impacted by bone marrow donation – whether they have received a transplant or donated bone marrow to a stranger – will converge in Washington, D.C. on July 18. Their goal: to urge continued Congressional support of Be The Match®, the global leader in providing bone marrow and umbilical cord blood transplants to patients with life-threatening blood cancers.
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Marrow Transplant Patient Shares Jazz Compositions
March 2012NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - A Chicago man who recently underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat lymphoma is thinking of others as he recovers. Judson Green, a former executive with The Walt Disney Company and Navteq Corp., crafted a CD of jazz piano compositions. Proceeds from the iTunes sales benefit all patients in need of a marrow transplant through contributions to Be The Match Foundation®.
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ASBMT Joins the NMDP to Support the Amy Strelzer Manasevit Research Program
March 2012NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - The American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation® (ASBMT) is rallying the support of its membership and other stakeholders so that more patients can benefit from life-saving research.
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Coalition Says PBSC Donor Compensation Poses Health Risks to Patients and Donors
February 2012NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - A coalition of eight leading international health organizations today issued a statement supporting the U.S. Department of Justice’s appeal of the Ninth Circuit Court ruling that allows certain marrow donors to be compensated. Filed Jan. 17, the Justice Department’s appeal cites the potential for serious health risks to patients and donors if the ruling stands.
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American Express Is First To Provide Grant to Support Online Registration for Be The Match
January 2012NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - American Express, in an effort to grow the Be The Match Registry®, is the first organization to provide a grant that will help -
Run-Walk Fundraising Event Expands
January 2012NMDP/Be The Match Press Release - Be The Match® has announced that its Be The One Run fundraising run/walk event will expand to 10 cities in 2012. Columbus, Ohio; Richmond, Va.; San Jose, Calif. and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla will join Atlanta, Ga.; Charlotte, N.C.; Houston, Texas; Long Beach, Calif.; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.; and Portland, Ore. for the 2012 series.
These run/walk fundraising events give patients with leukemia, lymphoma and 70 other life-threatening diseases a second chance at life. Every step participants take helps patients receive the marrow transplant they need.