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Tremendous growth credited to medical advances in cord blood and global partnershipsNMDP Celebrates 30,000 TransplantsMinneapolis -- December 11, 2007 The number of patients receiving a bone marrow or cord blood transplant through the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) surged past 30,000 early this month. Advances in transplant medicine, especially in cord blood, and increased international relationships have made transplantation an option for more patients than ever before. In the past 16 months alone, the NMDP facilitated about 5,000 transplants. This tremendous growth is noteworthy, considering it took 10 years to achieve the first 6,000 bone marrow transplants. “The day on which the 30,000th transplant occurred is representative of the current scope of the NMDP’s work: 19 transplants were facilitated in nine states, six countries and four continents,” said Jeffrey W. Chell, M.D., NMDP chief executive officer. “The NMDP is truly part of a global network, and we look forward to continuing our mission as we strive to serve all patients in need.” Cord blood contributes to exponential growthToday, advances in cord blood transplantation are making it possible to meet the needs of more seriously ill patients, and especially those from diverse racial and ethnic communities. Since 2004, the number of cord blood transplants facilitated by the NMDP has nearly doubled each year. This year, one in five transplants facilitated by the NMDP used cord blood. The NMDP expects these numbers to continue to grow, providing increased access to cord blood for any patient who needs a transplant.Patients need global collaborationEach year, more than 10,000 Americans are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases that can only be cured with a bone marrow or cord blood transplant from an unrelated donor. These patients do not have a donor match within their family and transplant is their only hope for a cure.Growing and maintaining a diverse donor registry has been another key to making transplants available for these patients. Every search conducted through the NMDP provides patients with access to more than 11 million donors on the global donor listing. This includes 7 million donors and cord blood units listed through the NMDP and an additional 4 million available through arrangements with international cooperative registries. In 2007, approximately 49 percent of transplants facilitated by the NMDP involved either an international donor or patient.
Currently, the NMDP works with leading transplant centers and donor registries in 35 countries around the world. By increasing its international relationships and collaboration, the NMDP can continue to expand its global network to help all patients receive the life-saving transplant they need. About the National Marrow Donor ProgramThe NMDP facilitates unrelated marrow and cord blood transplants as a single point of access for a long-standing collaborative network of national and international leading medical facilities in marrow and cord blood transplantation. The NMDP connects patients, doctors, donors and researchers to the resources they need to help more people live longer and healthier lives. Learn more about the National Marrow Donor Program or call 1 (800) MARROW-2.Media Contact:
Catherine Claeys: 612-455-1719 Cell: 651-983-4312 |
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