Washington, DC (March 25, 2022) – A new guide developed by Alliance for Cell Therapy Now and the Alliance for Cell Therapy Foundation (together, the Alliance) and the National Football League Alumni Association (NFL Alumni), was released today, providing guidance to patients who are considering regenerative medicine and cell and tissue-based therapies (RMCTs). The report serves as a “patient primer” on RMCTs, offering answers to frequently asked questions, as well as questions that patients should be asking before undergoing treatment or participating in clinical trials.
Regenerative medicine and cell and tissue-based therapies focus on repairing, replacing, restoring function, and in some cases, reversing disease, in organs or tissues that have been damaged or are functioning poorly, due to disease, trauma, or congenital conditions. Thousands of clinical trials have been conducted both in the United States and abroad that explore the use of RMCTs for a range of conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal conditions, neurological brain) conditions, diabetes and kidney disease, COVID-19, wound healing, and a full range of other conditions affecting patients.
Nationally recognized leaders in the field—who serve on the Advisory Board of the Alliance and the NFL Alumni Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Advisory Committee lent their expertise and guidance to the development of the report.
Results of a recent survey of former NFL players and other NFL Alumni—conducted by NFL Alumni in collaboration with the Alliance and Sanford Health—indicated that nearly half have considered RMCT trials or treatments and more than 80 percent are interested in learning more about these therapies. Similarly, many Americans are also interested in learning more about these therapies, but unfortunately, there are few, plain language, easily accessible resources that are available to patients who are trying to navigate this rapidly growing, complex field.
The primary goal of the guide is to help patients assess whether treatments being offered to them—either through clinical practice or clinical trials—are authorized by the FDA and are trustworthy, safe, effective, and suitable for use.
About Alliance for Cell Therapy Now and the Alliance for Cell Therapy Foundation
Alliance for Cell Therapy Now and the Alliance for Cell Therapy Foundation (together, the Alliance), are independent, non-profit organizations guided by leaders representing academic and medical institutions, industry innovators, and patients, that are working to advance safe and effective regenerative medicine and cell therapies for patients in need. For more information about the Alliance, go to https://allianceforcelltherapynow.org/.
About NFL Alumni
Founded in 1967 by a small group of successful retired NFL players, NFL Alumni is one of the oldest and well-respected retired player organizations in professional sports. NFL Alumni’s mission is to inform, assist, and serve players in their post-NFL lives. NFL Alumni’s mission is focused on “caring for our own,” “caring for children,” and “caring for the community.” NFL Alumni Health is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NFL Alumni, which is devoted to improving the health and wellness of NFL Alumni members as well as the general public, by providing informational resources, programs, and services. Visit https://nflalumnihealth.org/