Be The Match® Joins ABC`s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Unrelated bone marrow recipient and leukemia survivor`s Lena, Ill., home to be
rebuilt on popular ABC show
MINNEAPOLIS--(Business Wire)--
Be The Match, a movement that engages the public to help patients in need of
bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplants, joins ABC`s Extreme Makeover:
Home Edition through the story of Joey Stott, a bone marrow transplant recipient
and Lena, Ill., resident.

In 2004, Stott was diagnosed with leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant
to survive. Like 70 percent of patients, Stott did not have a donor in her
family and relied on the kindness of a stranger who had joined the Be The Match
RegistrySM to donate bone marrow and save her life. Now, a community of
volunteers and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will help Stott save her home -
with the help of a special guest: Tom Wilhelm, Stott`s bone marrow donor from
Colorado Springs. The two met for the first time yesterday.

As part of its involvement in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Be The Match will
hold donor registry drives to encourage local volunteers and spectators to join
the Be The Match Registry, operated by the National Marrow Donor Program®
(NMDP). The drives will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12
at the Lena Lion`s Fall Festival and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13
at the build site. There is no cost to join. Potential donors must be between 18
and 60 and in good health. Interested individuals can also join the Be The Match
Registry online at www.BeTheMatch.org/join.

"We want to thank Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and the Lena community for
supporting Joey and her family, and for bringing national attention to our
mission," said Dr. Jeffrey W. Chell, CEO, NMDP. "The number of patients
receiving bone marrow transplants is growing every year. Now, more than ever
before, we need people to get involved to ensure that all patients can receive
the life-saving treatment they need."

In addition to joining the Be The Match Registry, the public can support
patients by making financial contributions to Be The Match FoundationSM. While a
marrow transplant can be a life-saving treatment for many patients, the costs
can take a toll on families. Often there is the temporary loss of at least one
income, and even with insurance, not all costs are covered. Be The Match
Foundation raises funds to provide grants to patients who need support. Starting
this week, Be The Match Foundation is aiming to raise $1 million so more
patients and their families can focus on healing.

"In challenging times, it is heartening to see people coming together to help
each other, whether through a medical emergency or a housing crisis," said
Christine Fleming, president, Be The Match Foundation. "We are sincerely
grateful for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition`s efforts to raise awareness about
Be The Match Foundation - and our efforts to relieve families of the financial
burdens they experience when a loved one goes through transplant. Giving viewers
and volunteers a place to direct their compassion and commitment will help save
lives."

About Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

The Emmy award winning reality program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," now in
its 7th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It`s
executive -produced by Anthony Dominici. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol
North America. The show airs Sundays from 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

About Be The Match

Be The Match is a movement that engages a growing community of people inspired
to help patients who need a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant. The
National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), a leader in the field of marrow and cord
blood transplantation, 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. Volunteers can join the Be The Match
Registry - the world`s largest and most diverse listing of potential adult
marrow donors and donated cord blood units - as well as contribute financially
to Be The Match Foundation or give their time. Be The Match Foundation supports
the NMDP by raising funds to grow the Be The Match Registry, help patients with
transplant costs and advance medical research. Since operations began in 1987,
the NMDP has provided more than 35,000 transplants to help give patients a
second chance at life. For more information, visit BeTheMatch.org or call 1
(800) MARROW-2.

Catherine Claeys
612-455-1719 / 651-983-4312
cclaeys@psbpr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009