House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Across the Commonwealth, families have been devastated by a blood cancer diagnosis. At 14.8 cases per 100,000 residents, the rate of leukemia in Pennsylvania is substantially above the national average. For many leukemias and other blood cancers, the primary treatment is radio- or chemo-therapy, followed by a bone marrow transplant from a living donor. While many patients are able to find a suitable, live saving donor, others cannot find a donor who can donate compatible tissue.  

 

Many Pennsylvanians are unaware that they can make a living donation of soft tissue, such as bone marrow, during their lives. Our bill would establish a bone marrow recruitment program to educate residents on the need for bone marrow donation as well as how they can join the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. This public health education program would be managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. 

 

Too many Pennsylvanians know the pain of a loved one being diagnosed with a blood cancer. This is an issue that has directly affected the families of several House Members in recent years, including our colleague, Tony DeLuca. Please join us in sponsoring this legislation and saving lives across our state.