First Cord Blood Unit From UMass Memorial/Cryobanks Program Sent For Transplant

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Also Included In: Transplants / Organ Donations;  Pregnancy / Obstetrics;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 10 Nov 2008 - 5:00 PST

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Cryobanks International, Inc. (CII), a leader in the collection, processing, and banking of umbilical cord blood, shipped a unit of cord blood for transplant which had been collected in the UMass Memorial Medical Center Cord Blood (UMass Memorial) Donation Program.

UMass Memorial collaborated with CII to establish the Cord Blood Donation Program in October 2006 and has collected more than 1,000 units since its inception. UMass Memorial is the only hospital in the state or in New England offering a cord blood donation program. Massachusetts is one of 22 states in the country which requires healthcare professionals to educate their patients about their cord blood options.

"We are excited that this day has arrived for the team at UMass Memorial and the families who have donated this precious source of stem cells for use around the world," said Robert Gravely, Cryobanks chief operating officer. "It takes a lot of coordinated effort and science to make these units readily available. But most importantly, without Dr. Mary Herlihy leading the charge at UMass Memorial, the area doctors and nurses who educate and collect the units, and the families themselves who choose to donate, none of this would happen. We congratulate them all."

"Our company is very proud of the services and the education that is being provided by both the program and the staff at UMass Memorial. They've done a wonderful job creating awareness and eagerness to participate in a process that can potentially save lives," commented Legna Pena, marketing coordinator for Cryobanks International.

Umbilical cord blood donation has been in practice since the 1990s. It is considered a simple and painless procedure for the mother and child. CII provides UMass Memorial with collection kits and a local donor coordinator who works with the hospital and local physicians on a daily basis to manage the program. Expectant mothers who are interested in donating their babies' cord blood should enroll in the program no later than the 34th week of pregnancy by filling out paperwork, including a brief medical history. The donation can be arranged through their physicians, the Women's Center at UMass Memorial, or with the Cryobanks' local Worcester donor coordinator at 508-799-8864. If the mother is not able to pre-register, there is an onsite registration process at the hospital. Patients can find more information on Cryobanks International website http://www.cryo-intl.com.

About Cryobanks

Cryobanks International, Inc., located in Altamonte Springs, FL, is a leader in the collection, processing, and banking of stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood. The stem cell rich cord blood (CB) is processed using the company's proprietary processing methods and are stored for use in unrelated transplants. Cryobanks established the first and only nationwide public cord blood donation bank. The company also provides personal storage programs through which parents can elect to store cord blood for their own family's possible future use. In recent years, cord blood transplants (CBTs) have become widely recognized as a safe and effective alternative to traditional bone marrow transplants (BMTs). Cryobanks International has processed more than 16,000 cord blood units in its 13+ years of operation. The company is a National Marrow Donor Program Network Cord Blood bank, and is AABB accredited, FDA registered and cGMP/cGTP compliant. Cryobanks is also licensed by the states of New York, New Jersey and California for CB collection and/or processing. The company also provides consulting and management services for organizations or states interested in developing their own cord blood banking operations. For more information about Cryobanks International call 1-800-869-8608 or visit the website at http://www.cryo-intl.com.

Cryobanks International, Inc.