ASTCT Advocacy

• NIH is the largest public health funder for clinical trials.
• Cuts, restructuring and withheld funds stall progress, waste years of fnancial and scientifc investment and inhibit progress toward cures.
• NIH awards 80-85% of its budget for research at universities, hospitals, small businesses and other institutions across the country.
• Ask:  Increase NIH funding to $51.3B in FY27 to advance biomedical research for cellular and transplant therapies.

• The Office of Management and Budget (OMB)’s proposal would undermine thestability, independence and effectiveness of federally funded biomedical research.
• Congress should ensure that changes to federal grant policy do not politicize research decisions, disrupt existing grants or create unnecessary administrative barriers.
• Ask:  Prohibit the use of federal funds to implement proposed changes to the Uniform Guidance that could undermine the integrity of federally funded biomedical research.

• The CWBYCTP connects patients to over 43 millionunrelated bone marrow/cordblood donors.
• The program is designed for the 75 percent of patients in need of a transplant lack a family donor. 
• Program stats: The CWBYCTP has saved over 150,000 lives by facilitating unrelated transplants—including nearly 9,000 lives in 2025. 
• Ask: Reauthorize CWBYCTP bypassing H.R. 5160/S. 4109, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act, to ensure that all patients who need a transplant have access to one.

Picking up the phone and calling your U.S. Senators’ and Representatives’ Washington, D.C. offices are great ways to ensure that your voice is heard by your elected officials. Call your Congressional delegation’s Washington, D.C. offices using the phone numbers provided in the House and Senate directories. You'll connect with a staff member responsible for recording constituent requests. Keep your calls concise, focused and courteous. 

Sending an email is still one of the most effective ways to contact your Members of Congress; and doing so has never been easier thanks to ASTCT's online advocacy platform.

Step 1. View ASTCT's current campaign.

Step 2. Enter your contact information.

Step 3. Personalize your message (optional).

Step 4. Send your email!

Social media has changed the way the public communicates with policymakers. Studies show that social media posts from constituents can influence a lawmaker’s actions on a particular issue.

All Members of Congress have social media accounts, and most offices have designated staff member to handle social media. Visit the websites of your Representatives and Senators to find their social media handles. 

In-person and virtual meetings with your Congressional delegation’s Washington, D.C. offices are one of the most effective ways of letting a public official know about you, your priorities and ASTCT. Contact Molly Ford, ASTCT’s Director of Government and Payer Relations, to set up a meeting with your elected officials. ASTCT will take care of scheduling your meetings and preparing you for your meeting. As ASTCT increases its presence on Capitol Hill and looks to its members to get involved in this effort. If you have plans to travel to the Washington, D.C. area at any time, contact Molly Ford to arrange some Hill visits while you’re in town. 

Attending a Town Hall meeting or other event when members of your Congressional delegation are back in the state or district is a great way to engage on ASTCT issues and priorities. Lawmakers use Congressional recesses to connect with as many constituents as possible and want to know what they need to do to earn your vote. Additionally, it is a great way to make a connection as a community member. 

Download and use the 2025 ASTCT Hill Day palm card to quickly reference current key talking points for ASTCT policy asks and advocacy initiatives. Take this resource with you when you meet with your Congressional representatives or attend a town hall.