WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) unveiled his Life Saving Leave Act (H.R. 3024) for the 118^th Congress. The bipartisan legislation, inspired by the Minnesota-based nonprofit, Be The Match, would reduce barriers that many workers face in accessing time off when they choose to save lives through stem cell and bone marrow donation. If enacted, the Live Saving Leave Act would allow up to 40 non-consecutive, unpaid hours of leave for individuals who donate bone marrow or blood stem cells – a necessary worker protection standard for those who embark on the incredibly time-intensive donation process.

Bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants can cure or treat over 75 otherwise fatal diseases or conditions. Seventy percent of patients do not have a matching donor in their family, which is why connecting patients whose survival is dependent on donor cells will require reducing barriers to donation nationwide.

"There is simply no reason anyone should have to choose between saving their job and saving a life,” said Rep. Phillips. “We should do everything we can to support donors’ lives and livelihoods, and ensuring they have the flexibility to take time off without consequence is a fantastic place to start. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting federal protections for people to say yes to being a lifesaving match for those in need.”

“When donors join the registry, they are committing to save the life of a stranger,” said Amy Ronneberg, CEO of National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)/Be The Match. “Once they get the call, they must be able to say yes without fear of losing their livelihood. We are grateful for the members of Congress who are championing the Life Saving Leave Act, which will help save more lives when it becomes law.”

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