Sen. Orrin Hatch Receives
ASBMT Public Service Award

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), a leading congressional advocate for cancer research, blood and marrow transplantation and stem cell research, received the 2006 ASBMT Public Service Award at the BMT Tandem Meetings in Honolulu.

“Senator Hatch has worked tirelessly in the Senate to advance early diagnosis, treatment and cures for cancer,” said ASBMT President Nelson J. Chao, MD.  “He has been a major supporter of cancer research legislation and worked to double the budget of the National Institutes of Health over the past five years.”

Sen. Hatch accepted the award via video because Supreme Court confirmation hearings kept him in Washington. 

"I am so grateful for all that you have done to help relieve the pain and suffering for so many people throughout the world," he told an audience of about 550 at the ASBMT President's Dinner.  "You have been instrumental in advancing the treatment of cancers such as lymphomas, myeloma and leukemia, as well as other blood, immune system and genetic disorders.  

"Your commitment and dedication to your work have positioned your Society to provide the most innovative treatment options for transplant patients.  You are all to be commended for these remarkable achievements," he said.

Visiting with Sen. Hatch when he recorded his remarks in his Washington Officer were Dr. Chao and Linda Kelley, PhD, chair of the Standards Committee of the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) and a constituent of the senator at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

The ASBMT Public Service Award is supported by an unrestricted grant from SuperGen, Inc.