Congress Unanimously Passes Life-Saving Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
CONTACT:
LAUREN DART
(202) 225-7163
Congress Unanimously Passes Life-Saving Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Bill
Legislation Co-Authored by Congresswoman Matsui Heads to the President's Desk for Signature
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Senate-amended version of H.R. 2820, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act, a bill co-authored by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) that will reauthorize the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory (NCBI). H.R. 2820 will renew federal funding for the vital national bone marrow and cord blood registry and coordinating centers, which facilitate bone marrow and cord blood donations that provide transplants to treat diseases like blood cancer, sickle cell anemia, and inherited metabolic or immune system disorders.
"Passage of the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act provides hope to the thousands of Americans and their families who suffer from painful and potentially life-threatening blood cancer or other bone marrow disorders," said Congresswoman Matsui, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus to Cure Blood Cancers and Other Blood Disorders. "The andlsquo;Be a Match' National Registry makes possible life-saving transplants by connecting patients with donors, and funding the services and research needed to eradicate these devastating diseases."
"It is incredibly timely to reauthorize this life-giving program during this gift-giving time of year," said Congressman Chris Smith, Co-Author of H.R.2820. "Americans willing to give the gift of life to others are at the heart of the success of this program. In reauthorizing it we are grateful for the adult donors willing to provide bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells, as well as mothers who donate their child's cord blood through public cord blood banks."
"I applaud my colleagues in the House and Senate for approving this bipartisan legislation that reauthorizes the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation program and the National Cord Blood Inventory through fiscal year 2020," said Congressman David Jolly, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus to Cure Blood Cancers and Other Blood Disorders. "These programs have saved tens of thousands of lives and continue to make key advances in marrow and cord blood transplantations that increase survival rates and expand the number of diseases for which marrow transplantation is a cure. I urge the President to sign this important, life-saving measure right away."
Since the Congress first authorized it, the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program has successfully facilitated nearly 68,000 transplants, with 6,300 transplants in 2014 alone.
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