Published June 8, 2020
Racism has no place in our society and profession. The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT), the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT), and the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplant (EBMT), all find these acts of racism reprehensible and inexcusable. This cannot be ignored any longer by the global community and our respective organizations.
We stand for the advancement of innovative, life-saving medicine. We know the importance of moving the needle forward in order to enact positive, powerful change. When it comes to issues of racism and violence, we realize the need for change, too.
We recognize that racism is an institutional problem in health care, and we are committed to doing our part to bridge that gap. We stand behind those who promote equality, diversity and inclusion. As a health care community, we have to do better—for not only the patients we serve, but the communities they live in as well.
As we work toward improving diversity and denouncing racism in health care and cities around the world, we commit to having the important conversations and supporting critical initiatives within our community that move us toward equality both in the transplantation, cellular and gene therapy workforce and in access to lifesaving therapies.
Please use this resource from the National Museum of African American History & Culture to educate yourself on the importance of talking about race and to find tools on combating racism in your own communities. We ask that you stand with us in denouncing racism and violence.
ASTCT STATEMENT SUPPORTING THE AAPI COMMUNITY
Published March 26, 2021
We are deeply saddened by the violence and maltreatment toward the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, exemplified by the hate crimes that occurred in Atlanta last week. We recognize that there has been discrimination against this community throughout history that has only been fueled by bias from the continuous spread of COVID-19 misinformation.
As noted in our joint DEI statement above, ASTCT has zero tolerance for racism, bigotry, and hate of any kind. We stand in solidarity with the AAPI community and any other groups impacted by discrimination.
In our field, we see first hand the impact that racism and health disparities has on health care. As health care providers, we need to stand against racism and fight to dismantle it in whatever way we can.
As leaders in health care, ASTCT is committed to supporting critical initiatives within our community that move us toward greater equity and diversity in the transplantation, cellular and gene therapy workforce, and in access to lifesaving therapies. Our leaders within ASTCT and our Committee on Diversity and Inclusion are taking important steps to integrate these beliefs into practice, but we must hold each other accountable in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for leaders, members, and the patients we collectively serve.
March 26 represents the day in 1790 that the Naturalization Act was signed into law, prohibiting non-white people from becoming citizens of the United States. On this day in 2021, we strive to raise awareness and elevate dialogue that supports the AAPI community in America and around the globe.
ASTCT TOWN HALL: A CONVERSATION ABOUT RACE
On Thursday, June 11, 2020, ASTCT hosted a Town Hall aimed at listening to members, fostering healing and, most importantly, promoting solutions in response to the current protests. ASTCT strives to provide our membership with a safe space to discuss these events and the way they impact our lives, professions and the patients we serve. A recording of the town hall is available on the ASTCT Learning Center.