University of Houston Athletics
Houston, NMDP Partner to Find Cures, Save Lives, including Coach Landholm’s
8/7/2026 2:30:00 PM | Football
Cougars, NDMP continue partnership; NMDP becomes game sponsor for Sept. 12, 2026 football game
HOUSTON – Houston Athletics, in partnership with NMDP, whom is the game sponsor of Houston Football's Sept. 12 game against Southern, will raise awareness for the NMDP Registry and help more patients battling blood cancers and blood disorders access life-saving blood stem cell transplants through different activations around the stadium on Sept. 12.
Houston Football's Special Assistant to the Head Coach Donn Landholm battled cancer in 2024-25 and through the NMDP registry, Landholm was matched to a stem cell donor. The stem cell donation ultimately helped Landholm beat the cancer and return to the sidelines to help Houston win 10 games in 2025.
Before and during the Cougars second home game of the season on Sept. 12 against Southern, NMDP will be hosting a donor drive where fans of college football can sign up and get their cheek swabbed to be added to the NMDP Registry to potentially get matched to patient in need of a transplant.
During the game, Coach Landholm will get to meet his donor for the first time – an emotional moment for both – and his donor's family will be able to experience a Houston football game for the first time.
Houston Football has partnered with NMDP each of the last three years to help grow the NMDP Registry by encouraging students, faculty, staff and passersby on campus to sign up to be a potential donor. Prior to head coach Willie Fritz's time at Houston, his Tulane team partnered with NMDP, creating a longstanding partnership between the organization and Fritz's teams.
For 18,500 patients diagnosed each year with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, or blood disorders like sickle cell disease, a blood stem cell transplant may offer the best—or only—chance for a cure. Yet 75 percent of patients do not have a fully matched donor in their own family and will turn to NMDP to find an unrelated donor.
Earlier this summer in June, NMDP surpassed 150,000 transplants over nearly four decades of hope, innovation and second chances.
ABOUT NMDP
At NMDP, we believe each of us holds the key to curing blood cancers and disorders. As a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy, NMDP creates essential connections between researchers and supporters to inspire action and accelerate innovation to find life-saving cures. With the help of blood stem cell donors from the world's most diverse registry and our extensive network of transplant partners, physicians and caregivers, we're expanding access to treatment so that every patient can receive their life-saving cell therapy. NMDP. Find cures. Save lives.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
Don't miss any of the action. Purchase single-game tickets today by clicking here.
SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2026 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 3 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Oregon State, Southern, UCF, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Baylor as the Cougars look to improve on their 10-win season in 2025.
To purchase season tickets, click here. The online seat upgrade process will begin later this year.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
Houston Football's Special Assistant to the Head Coach Donn Landholm battled cancer in 2024-25 and through the NMDP registry, Landholm was matched to a stem cell donor. The stem cell donation ultimately helped Landholm beat the cancer and return to the sidelines to help Houston win 10 games in 2025.
Before and during the Cougars second home game of the season on Sept. 12 against Southern, NMDP will be hosting a donor drive where fans of college football can sign up and get their cheek swabbed to be added to the NMDP Registry to potentially get matched to patient in need of a transplant.
During the game, Coach Landholm will get to meet his donor for the first time – an emotional moment for both – and his donor's family will be able to experience a Houston football game for the first time.
Houston Football has partnered with NMDP each of the last three years to help grow the NMDP Registry by encouraging students, faculty, staff and passersby on campus to sign up to be a potential donor. Prior to head coach Willie Fritz's time at Houston, his Tulane team partnered with NMDP, creating a longstanding partnership between the organization and Fritz's teams.
For 18,500 patients diagnosed each year with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, or blood disorders like sickle cell disease, a blood stem cell transplant may offer the best—or only—chance for a cure. Yet 75 percent of patients do not have a fully matched donor in their own family and will turn to NMDP to find an unrelated donor.
Earlier this summer in June, NMDP surpassed 150,000 transplants over nearly four decades of hope, innovation and second chances.
ABOUT NMDP
At NMDP, we believe each of us holds the key to curing blood cancers and disorders. As a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy, NMDP creates essential connections between researchers and supporters to inspire action and accelerate innovation to find life-saving cures. With the help of blood stem cell donors from the world's most diverse registry and our extensive network of transplant partners, physicians and caregivers, we're expanding access to treatment so that every patient can receive their life-saving cell therapy. NMDP. Find cures. Save lives.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
Don't miss any of the action. Purchase single-game tickets today by clicking here.
SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2026 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 3 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Oregon State, Southern, UCF, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Baylor as the Cougars look to improve on their 10-win season in 2025.
To purchase season tickets, click here. The online seat upgrade process will begin later this year.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
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