The Consumer Advocacy Committee provides valuable patient and donor perspectives for the development of the CIBMTR research agenda.

Responsibilities

• Provide a consumer perspective on the CIBMTR research agenda through participation in Working Committees and RCI BMT
• Provide input to CIBMTR on adapting hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) research publications for use by the general public
• Promote awareness among patients regarding research opportunities
• Advise the CIBMTR on ways to increase patient participation in research
• May submit research ideas to appropriate Working Committees

Membership

Members are appointed by the Advisory Committee, based on recommendations from a CIBMTR application review panel, and include:

• Nine voting members who serve for up to two consecutive three-year terms. These members are involved with HCT either as a patient, caregiver, family member, donor or staff person/volunteer with an agency that interacts with HCT patients or donors
• Ex-officio members from CIBMTR, the National Marrow Donor Program^® (NMDP)/Be The Match^® and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

In addition, committee membership strives to represent a diversity of backgrounds, including persons who:

• Understand adult and/or pediatric HCT issues
• Are familiar with cord blood transplantation
• Have been or understand the needs of a related and/or unrelated donors
• Understand issues that affect access to or outcomes of HCT secondary to demographics and diversity
• Do not have access to the Internet, or are aware of how people without access to the Internet get their information
• Are actively involved in HCT-related research
• Have marketing, communications or professional writing experience

Meetings

• The Consumer Advocacy Committee meets annually at the BMT Tandem Meetings and periodically via conference calls
• Works on CAC projects, beyond teleconferences, as needed