Investment Will Increase Number of Cord Blood Units; Help Ensure Accessibility to Transplant Treatment Options

NMDP to Invest $8 Million To Expand Its Cord Blood Initiative

The National Marrow Donor Program^® (NMDP) received approval from its board of directors on Feb. 6 to invest $8 million to expand its cord blood initiative to facilitate more life-saving transplants. These funds will be used to increase the number and diversity of cord blood units available to patients in need of a life-saving transplant for leukemia and other blood, immune system and genetic disorders.

"Cord blood banks are working in local communities to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of cord blood units," said Michael Creer, M.D., professor of Pathology and Pediatrics, St. Louis University School of Medicine. "The nation's inventory of cord blood must continue to grow. With the National Marrow Donor Program's financial support, we will significantly increase the supply of cord blood and enhance the genetic diversity of available units."

The blood in the umbilical cord and placenta is unique because it contains large numbers of the types of cells used in transplantation. Collected after a baby's birth, cord blood collection poses no risk to the mother or her child.

"Umbilical cord blood is a viable, complementary source of cells for patients with life-threatening diseases," said John Wagner, M.D., scientific director of clinical research of the Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Institute and professor of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota. "We are committed to giving our patients the best source of cells for transplant. Access to a comprehensive listing of umbilical cord blood units and adult volunteer donors through the NMDP Registry improves the likelihood of finding a matched donor for our patients."

This funding builds on the NMDP's previous investment in cord blood initiatives, which have enabled the NMDP to facilitate 275 cord blood transplants and offer the largest U.S. listing of cord blood units with 30,000 units available from its network of 13 U.S. cord blood banks.

"With this investment, the National Marrow Donor Program reinforces its dedication as a true partner in cord blood transplantation," said Joanne Kurtzberg, M.D.; director, Duke University Medical Center Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Program; director, Carolina's Cord Blood Bank. "We will strengthen the network of cord blood banks, effectively and efficiently working together to meet the needs of patients in need of cellular and transplantation therapies."

In addition, the NMDP continues to work in partnership with its cord blood bank network and transplant community to:

• Sponsor research to improve cord blood transplantation outcomes for patients.
• Provide educational programs to increase awareness of clinical applications of cord blood transplantation.
• Continue to develop and maintain a common set of standards and accreditation among its cord blood partners to assure high quality and best clinical practice.

"Every dollar of this investment will go directly to our affiliated cord blood banks so they can collect more cord blood units and help more patients," said Jeffrey W. Chell, M.D., chief executive officer of the National Marrow Donor Program. "We are committed to working with our partners to increase the accessibility of all treatment options for patients - regardless of race or ethnicity."

More Information:

• About the National Marrow Donor Program
• Donate Your Baby's Umbilical Cord Blood
• How To Help