[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING BRANDI DIAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a very brave 
young woman, Brandi Dias. Ms. Dias suffers from acute myeloid leukemia 
and recently had a stem cell transplant, using her own marrow to fight 
the cancer. I am happy to say that she is doing well.
  After her own experience with trying unsuccessfully to find a bone 
marrow donor match, Brandi became interested in attracting volunteers 
to the National Marrow Donor Program. The National Marrow Donor Program 
facilitates transplants from volunteers and unrelated donors for 
patients of all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Brandi has 
focused on attracting and retaining volunteers to participate in the 
NMDP Registry, where people can search for matching donors.
  Believing that donors are more likely to remain committed to the 
program if they participate in a thorough education program prior to 
joining the NMDP Registry, Brandi submitted a proposal for a pilot 
program that will include two-hour seminars covering the process of 
becoming a bone marrow donor.
  I am proud to say that Brandi has received word that her Bone Marrow 
Donor Pilot Program proposal has been funded. The funding will allow 
for a donor pilot program in San Luis Obispo County and for four donor 
drives beginning in January 2000. The goal of this pilot program is to 
encourage and educate the public about the need for bone marrow donors 
and to assist in retaining donors on the registry.
  And so I salute Brandi Dias today. She has shown courage in her fight 
against leukemia and transformed this experience into community 
activism that will benefit patients across San Luis Obispo County. I am 
proud to represent her in Congress.

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