University of Florida BMT Director Is Keynote Speaker

Marrow and Blood Cell Symposium Focuses on the Promise of Transplantation

A symposium on "Marrow, Adult Stem Cell and Cord Blood Transplantation: Current Practice Future Potential" was held Wednesday, Nov. 17, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room G11. The National Marrow Donor Program^® (NMDP) and The Marrow Foundation^® sponsored the symposium.

John R. Wingard, M.D., director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at the University of Florida College of Medicine, delivered the keynote luncheon address, "The Promises of Cellular Therapy" and joined other speakers as the symposium explored:

• Present applications and future promises of adult marrow and blood cell transplant therapy
• Recent developments in the use of cord blood transplantation
• Collaborative efforts to advance the science of cellular transplant therapy
• Research to improve post-transplant outcomes

Dennis Confer, M.D., NMDP chief medical officer, hosted the symposium.

"This symposium provides an excellent opportunity to meet with pioneers and leading experts in the field of transplantation," Confer said. "Understanding the current use and future potential of marrow, blood cell and cord blood transplantation will be essential to making informed decisions regarding this rapidly evolving science."

Among other featured speakers were Joanne Kurtzberg, M.D., of Duke University, director, Carolinas Cord Blood Bank, Durham, N.C., speaking on cord blood transplantation, and Mary Horowitz, M.D., scientific director, the Center of International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) discussing research themes and collaborative relationships.

The symposium is being held in conjunction with "Celebrating Second Chances," a gala celebration observing the NMDP's 20,000^th-transplant milestone reached this month.