Football Coaches and the NMDP Team Up to Save Lives

Featured Focus: Athlete-Driven Impact, Partnerships For Good, Health & Wellness

Scope of Impact: National

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) have formed an impressive partnership to encourage more people to join the NMDP Registry and potentially save lives.

The NMDP, a global non-profit leader in cell therapy, has teamed up with the AFCA to expand the reach of its 'Get in the Game' program. This initiative, which invites college coaches and student-athletes to contribute to the fight against blood cancers, has already recruited more than 250,000 potential donors to the NMDP Registry. The collaboration with AFCA is aimed at further multiplying the impact of the program. The NMDP has helped over 130,000 patients get a second chance at life through blood stem cell transplants, thanks to donors from the 'Get in the Game' program. The AFCA's support will encourage more football coaches to join the movement to save more patient lives.

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Started in 2008 by Coach Andy Talley at Villanova University, the “Get in Game” program celebrates the brotherhood that exists in the coaching community to give second chances at life to people in need.

The inclusion of student athletes is both strategic and honorable. On one hand, donors under the age of 35 can help improve outcomes for patients receiving the transplant. On the other, it builds empathy amongst a generation of upcoming leaders, and seeds philanthropy as a key aspect of community building.