New York Blood Center Lead Scientists, Congressmen Smith and Davis, Others to Urge Senate to Pass Pending Cord Blood Bill

News Advisory:

-- New York Blood Center Lead Scientists, Congressmen Chris Smith And Artur Davis, NBA Legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Patients and Others to Urge Senate to Pass Pending Cord Blood Bill

Leaders from New York Blood Center’s National Cord Blood Program (NCBP) and the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), Congressmen Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Artur Davis (D-AL), NBA legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving, cord blood transplant recipients and others will join together to plea for the Senate to vote on the Bone Marrow & Cord Blood Therapy & Research Act of 2005 (S1317). The press conference will take place on Thursday, October 6, 10:30 a.m. at the Cannon House Office Building, Cannon Terrace, 2nd Fl., Independence Ave., Washington, DC.

At the event, Representatives Smith and Davis will discuss the pending legislation followed by patient perspectives and experts on the life-saving power of cord blood stem cells, as well as comments by NBA legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving.

This past May the Stem Cell Therapeutic & Research Act of 2005 (HR2520) passed in the House by a vote of 431 to 1. Led with strong bi-partisan support in Congress, the Senate’s vote on S1317 has been held up because of issues with unrelated bills dealing with the controversial embryonic stem cells.

Who: Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL), Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Pablo Rubinstein, M.D., Director and Cladd Stevens, M.D., Medical Director (NCBP); and others. Transplant Recipients: Keone Penn, Erik Haines, and Stephen Sprague

Date: Thursday, October 6

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Place: Cannon House Office Building, Cannon Terrace, 2nd Fl., Independence Ave., Washington, DC

Contact Information

Gladwyn Lopez

Media Contact

Rubenstein Communications, Inc.

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