Big Nova donates $3M to expand access to stem cell transplants
Donation supports patient and donor assistance through NMDP program
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Big Nova has made a $3 million donation to support NMDP’s efforts to help more patients, including those with sickle cell disease (SCD), access blood stem cell transplants.
The philanthropic gift helped NMDP exceed its $100 million fundraising goal, a milestone the organization said will support its mission by expanding access to blood stem cell transplants.
“Big Nova’s belief in our mission and their dedication to saving lives through cell therapy will have a lasting impact on thousands of patients and their families,” Amy Ronneberg, NMDP’s CEO, said in an organization press release.
Multi-year campaign reaches major fundraising milestone
The multi-year comprehensive campaign began in 2019 to strengthen philanthropic support for NMDP and advance its goal of supporting up to 10,000 people each year by 2028. Funds raised are intended to expand patient access to treatment, reduce financial barriers, and support cell therapy research.
Formerly known as the National Marrow Donor Program and Be The Match, NMDP connects patients with matched donors and supports them throughout the blood stem cell transplant process. The nonprofit facilitates transplants for people with blood disorders such as SCD, as well as for patients with dozens of blood cancers, including leukemia.
The Big Nova foundation was established in 2023 by the Moore family to support causes close to the family and to create positive change in the Central Florida community, where they have lived for six generations.
The family’s relationship with NMDP dates back to 2012, when a young member of the Moore family received a blood stem cell transplant for leukemia through the organization.
Since then, the family has remained involved by hosting donor recruitment drives, volunteering, and supporting research, patient financial assistance, and donor recruitment initiatives.
“Our family knows the hope NMDP brings because we’ve lived it,” said Sarah Asma, executive director at Big Nova, board member of the NMDP Foundation, and chair of NMDP’s $100 million campaign committee. “We felt our worlds turn upside down when a loved one was diagnosed with leukemia, and when an unrelated donor stepped forward to offer her a chance at a cure, we were so grateful and wanted to give back.”
NMDP outlines ongoing financial barriers for patients and donors
According to NMDP, financial challenges continue to prevent many patients from moving forward with a transplant. The organization receives an average of 15 requests each day for financial assistance to help cover costs such as housing, transportation, medications, and other treatment-related expenses.
This year, 3,405 patients received financial assistance through NMDP, totaling more than $7 million.
In addition to supporting patients, donor assistance is also a key part of NMDP’s work. To ensure there is no cost to donate, the organization covers expenses such as travel to donation centers for donors and a companion, potential lost wages, and reimbursements for childcare, pet care, or other needs during the roughly 40 hours donors commit over several weeks.
Big Nova’s donation will help expand access to patient and donor assistance programs, reducing financial barriers to transplant and making it easier for more donors to say “yes” when called, NMDP said.
“Their support illustrates a family turning their loved one’s lifesaving experience into a powerful purpose: paying their gratitude forward to inspire hope and ensure that other patients have the same chance at a cure,” Ronneberg said.
Asma added: “We are honored to continue to help more patients receive a second chance at life and help more families feel the same relief we did.”
