Letters

In 2010, I was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. My illness progressed, and in 2017 a stem cell transplant saved my life. The donation came from a perfect match volunteer donor found through the National Marrow Donor Program.

For nearly four decades, Congress has partnered with NMDP to provide funding and connect nearly 7,000 Americans with donors each year. Like me, some 70 percent of people don’t have a match in their family and rely on this program to find one.

I recently discussed the Life Saving Leave Act (H.R. 3024) with a staff member for 1st District U.S. Representative Nick LaLota (R). This bipartisan bill would give bone marrow donors nationwide the same basic job protections that kidney and other organ donors have, guaranteeing unpaid leave from work so they can take time off to save a life.

I hope Rep. LaLota will consider cosponsoring this critical legislation.

I would not be alive without NMDP and the generosity of my donor and his employer, who granted him the necessary time off for the donation procedure. No one should have to decline to help save a life because they cannot get time off from their job.

Linda Ashcraft

Southampton