Contract Allows for Continued Advancement of Stem Cell Transplantation

Federal HRSA Contract Awarded to NMDP

The National Marrow Donor Program^® (NMDP) has been awarded a contract from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to continue operating the National Registry of unrelated marrow and blood stem cell donors. The NMDP emerged successfully in its response to a request for proposal in a competitive process for funds provided by the HRSA.

For the past 15 years, the NMDP has dedicated itself to facilitating marrow and blood stem cell transplants from unrelated donors for patients with life-threatening blood diseases. With the support of a dynamic Network of more than 460 partners, thousands of patients have received their second chance at life and the opportunity to turn their dreams into reality.

Tonya Ghant is one those patients who received her second chance at life through the NMDP. Life was great for Tonya before she fell ill. "I had just had a baby, went back to work doing private duty nursing," Tonya said. Gradually, her health deteriorated. Her doctors diagnosed leukemia.

"My daughter was just two at that time. I didn't know who was going to take care of my daughter. I didn't know if I was going to be around to raise her," Tonya said. Without a marrow or blood stem cell transplant, Tonya would most likely die. She needed a donor for her transplant. Since her family members were not suitable donors, Tonya needed a stranger to give her a second chance at life. Tonya is African American and would be most likely to match someone who shared her similar heritage.

"We were desperate to find a matching donor for my transplant. When the NMDP found my donor, it was the best Christmas present I could have received that year," Tonya said. "The NMDP was my lifeline. I now have my whole life ahead of me." Tonya will receive her nursing degree in a few months. She plans to specialize in oncology where she can show patients that she is a living miracle.

"The future holds great promise for extending and improving lives though innovative stem cell therapies. The continued relationship with HRSA will help the NMDP expand its lifesaving work. The HRSA funding will help us increase the number of unrelated marrow and blood stem cell transplants, increase access for minorities and advance the science of transplantation," said Jeffrey W. Chell, M.D., NMDP chief executive officer. "The commitment of donors, the support of the federal government, the hard work and dedication of staff at the NMDP's Network of Donor Centers and Transplant Centers as well as staff at the NMDP have all contributed to the success of our program. So much has been done and we look forward to doing so much more."

For more information, see About the NMDP, the Media Room, or call the NMDP at (800) MARROW-2.