national bone marrow donor program

(it) magazine Honored with National Marrow Donor Program’s New Media Award

Press Release Excerpt distributed by National Marrow Donor Program:

Online magazine drives awareness of NMDP’s life-saving mission.

MINNEAPOLIS – Oct. 18, 2010 – (it) magazine was presented with the New Media Award from the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP) at its 23rd Annual Council Meeting in Minneapolis. The NMDP operates the Be The Match Registry®, the world’s largest and most diverse listing of potential bone marrow donors and donated umbilical cord blood. For thousands of patients with life-threatening diseases, such as leukemia and lymphoma, a bone marrow or cord blood transplant from an unrelated donor is their best or only hope for survival. The NMDP created Be The Match® to provide opportunities for the public to become involved in saving the lives of people with leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases.

The New Media Award is presented to an individual or group for supporting the life-saving work of the NMDP through utilization of the Internet. (it) magazine reached out to the organization via Twitter to see how the two could partner to help save lives. Background research of (it) magazine uncovered a nonprofit, multimedia organization based out of Pasadena, Calif., whose mission and primary audience aligned perfectly with Be The Match.

With a focus “dedicated to producing and distributing stories and resources that fuel your passion to make a difference and drive more pro social action,” (it) magazine’s multi-media, volunteer driven efforts have:

  • Offered extensive coverage of the Be The Match Shaq campaign
  • Included general Be The Match calls to action
  • Highlighted the NASCAR Pepsi Refresh Campaign
  • Provided additional coverage to Be The Match via its partnerships with Time Warner Cable in Southern California and The Hotel Networks, which is distributed in luxury hotels throughout the United States, parts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Coverage to-date has generated more than 510,000 social media impressions, 175 acts of engagement (including comments, likes, reposts, and retweets), and 230 clickthroughs and referrals to BeTheMatch.org.

“(it) magazine is a highly collaborative partner and eagerly works to find additional ways to introduce cross promotion of our efforts and collaboration,” said Jeffrey W. Chell, M.D., chief executive officer of the NMDP. “The magazine’s support in reaching a key audience for us will make a difference in the lives of many patients and their families for years to come.”

 

About the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)

As a leader in the field of unrelated marrow and umbilical cord blood transplantation, the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) is dedicated to ensuring all patients who need a transplant receive access to this potentially life-saving treatment. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the nonprofit organization has been entrusted by the federal government through the C.W. Bill Young Transplantation Program to operate the national registry, publicly known as the Be The Match Registry, which provides a single point of access for transplant centers and patients to marrow donors and cord blood units. The organization also facilitates transplants worldwide; supports a global network of hospitals, blood centers, public cord blood banks, laboratories and recruitment centers; conducts research; and provides education and support to patients, donors and health care professionals. The NMDP has facilitated more than 40,000 transplants since operation began in 1987.

For more information, visit www.marrow.org or call 1 (800) MARROW-2. ###