Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026

The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026 aims to extend federal support for critical programs that facilitate life-saving transplants for patients with blood cancers and other serious disorders. Specifically, the bill proposes to reauthorize the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory (NCBI) for an additional five years, through fiscal year 2031. These programs maintain the national registry of volunteer bone marrow donors and a diverse inventory of umbilical cord blood units, which are essential for patients who do not have a matching donor within their own families.

If enacted, the legislation would authorize approximately $280 million in funding over five years to support the infrastructure needed to match patients with donors and conduct medical research. This includes increasing the annual appropriation for the transplantation program to $33 million. By renewing these initiatives, the bill seeks to ensure that thousands of Americans suffering from diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell anemia continue to have access to the specialized stem cell therapies and transplant services they need for treatment and potential cures.