On May 4, 2023, Be The Match Foundation® hosted its annual New York Gala at the Cipriani on Broadway to raise funding for patient assistance grants, research to improve transplant outcomes, and diversification of the Be The Match Registry®.
In 2022, the foundation provided $6.1 million in grants to 2,320 patients and families in need of financial assistance. The event celebrated the organization’s facilitation of a record 7,054 transplants and cell therapies in 2022 for patients battling blood cancers and blood disorders. Publicis Groupe, the event’s presenting sponsor, continued its long-standing support of Be The Match.
The inaugural Be The Match INSPIRE Award was presented to New York Times Bestselling Author Suleika Jaouad for her impact as a cancer patient, two-time transplant recipient, and advocate. Jaouad’s work has increased brand awareness for Be The Match and inspired registry recruitment and financial support.
Be The Match also awarded a Corporate Leadership Award to Amazon Web Services (AWS) for its partnership since 2014. AWS has contributed over $220,000, added more than 650 registry members through employee-hosted drives, and helped raise awareness of Be The Match’s lifesaving mission.
AWS also supports Be The Match through the AWS Imagine Grant, focusing on data transformation to improve treatment decisions for patients.
The evening’s highlight was the emotional reunion between transplant recipient Debbie Giroux and her blood stem cell donor, Ryan Keegan. The Keegan family served as Honorary Chairs for the event and has fundraised over $170,000 to support Be The Match.