Congresswoman Matsui Announces Introduction of Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 27, 2010

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

CA Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA) announced today that she joined Congressman C.W. Bill Young (R-FL) in introducing H.R. 6081, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act. H.R. 6081 would reauthorize the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, which includes the National Registry for adult donors of bone marrow, peripheral blood adult stem cells, and umbilical cord blood units; the Office of Patient Advocacy; and the Stem Cell Therapeutic Outcomes Database. It would also reauthorize the National Cord Blood Inventory, a program that provides grants to public cord blood banks to assist them in collecting donated cord blood units that are then listed on the National Registry. Together, these programs provide a comprehensive resource for all sources of adult stem cells used in life-saving transplants.

I am pleased to sponsor the reauthorization of this life-saving program that has already facilitated almost 40,000 transplants, said Representative Matsui. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this vital piece of legislation in a timely manner, and ensure that the thousands of patients who rely on this program each year can access it when they need it.

Each year, approximately 38,000 people under the age of 55 are diagnosed with fatal bone marrow illnesses, and about 16,000 of them can only be treated via blood stem cell transplant. For roughly 70% of these patients, the only way they can find a suitable donor is through a registry.

This is truly a life saving program and this legislation will ensure that it continues without disruption, said Congressman Young. I want to thank my colleague Doris Matsui for her strong support for the program and the thousands of people it gives hope to every day.

H.R. 6081 is identical to legislation introduced by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) earlier this month. This legislation has been carefully negotiated to work out any differences between House and Senate versions, and between Democrats and Republicans, in order to achieve the goal of reauthorizing the program by October 1, 2010.

Dr. Jeffrey Chell, CEO of the National Marrow Donor Program, added, The National Marrow Donor Program is pleased that Rep. Matsui has joined Rep. Young in introducing this important legislation. We appreciate her strong leadership in the fight against blood cancers and the more than 70 diseases and conditions that can be treated and/or cured by a bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cell, or cord blood transplant. We urge Congress to enact this legislation as quickly as possible to make sure that the life-saving activities it reauthorizes can continue.