The 10th Annual Arizona Cord Blood Conference is eagerly anticipated on Thursday, April 17, 2025, and will span from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MST - AZ). We firmly believe that through fostering education and promoting awareness about the unique characteristics of the cord blood donation program and its potential to save lives, we can raise donation rates from diverse populations.

Free Event - Attend In-Person (places limited) or Online - Hybrid Event

Featured speakers to include (full agenda coming soon):

• Joanne Kurtzberg, MD (Duke University)
• Colleen S. Delaney, MD, MSc (Fred Hutch / Seattle Children's Hospital)
• Roger Horton, PhD (Anthony Nolan UK)
• Suzanne Pontow, PhD (University of California - Davis)
• Erin Eaton, (MD Anderson Cord Blood Bank)
• David Allan, MD (University of Ottawa - Canadian Blood Services)
• Warren Fingrut, MD (MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX)
• Christina Celluzzi, PhD, MS, CABP(H) (AABB)
• Joan Snelz, MSN-Ed, RNC-OB, BSN (Northern Arizona University)
• Melanie Hall (Save the Cord Foundation)
• Charis Ober (Save the Cord Foundation)
• Eseosa Evbuomwan (Sickle Cell Survivor)

Learn more about the conference here.

About the Arizona Public Cord Blood Program

The Arizona Public Cord Blood Program is a publicly funded initiative dedicated to the collection of cord blood for transplant purposes and the advancement of new treatments and cures. To disseminate knowledge about umbilical cord blood collection, current applications, and cutting-edge research, our program partners organize and host an annual scientific conference.

If you seek more information, we encourage you to explore our website and delve deeper into the world of the Arizona Public Cord Blood Program. For any further inquiries, please contact us at [email protected] .

This February 4th is World Cancer Day 2025! 

World Cancer Day is a reminder to come together to take action against cancer. At the same time, we must remember that behind every cancer diagnosis is a unique human story—stories of resilience, grief, hope, and healing. People-centred care means seeing the whole person and meeting their unique needs with compassion and empathy. 

Save the Cord Foundation is proud to celebrate World Cancer Day each year through various initiatives to expand cord blood education via patient stories and innovative outreach. This year we will continue the tradition by encouraging schools around the globe to take advantage of our new flagship program: Cord Blood in the Classroom. 

Cord Blood in the Classroom (free, open to all) launched in November 2024 as an integral part of our sister website, Next Generation - Cord Blood, which provides a key educational tools for teachers leading secondary and university classrooms. This unique program allows students to learn the basics of cord blood collection and transplantation for cancer patients and more. 

Why is this educational program important and necessary?

Simply put because we need a global effort to improve cancer treatments. Cord blood has the potential to be a smarter, easier and healthier treatment for patients around the globe. However, we are facing an uphill battle...too few people know about cord blood stem cells. A lack of awareness has led to a lack of funding and limited usage. We are trying to change that one school at a time, one young person at a time. 

How can you learn more about this innovative program for high schools and universitites? 

We invite you to bring Cord Blood in the Classroom to your school or community as part of the February 4th, World Cancer Day, celebrations. No prior knowledge is necessary. It is easy to use -- click & play. 

​2024 AGENDA

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.         Registration, Breakfast and Networking

9:00 - 9:10 a.m.         Welcome and Introductions - Kimberly Romo, Master of Ceremonies
9:10 - 9:50 a.m.         Opening Remarks and Welcome - Jennifer Cunico, Victor Waddell, PhD, John Garcia
9:50 - 10:15 a.m.       Hon. Juan A. Ciscomani, 6th Congressional District - U.S. House of Representatives
10:15 - 10:45 a.m.     Introduction to Cord Blood - Maegan Capitano, Ph.D.

10:45 - 11:20 a.m.      Refreshment Break

11:20 - 12:00 p.m.     Cord Blood Education Panel: Barbara Torrey, Charis Ober, Maegan Capitano, Ph.D. and Melanie Hall

12:00 - 1:15 p.m.       Lunch and Games and Education for Students

1:15 - 1:45 p.m.         Cord Blood Research: Chitra Hosing, MD, MD Anderson Cancer Center
1:45 - 2:05 p.m.         Cord Blood Transplant Survivor: Ariane Navarro, MD Anderson Cord Blood Bank
2:05 - 2:35 p.m.         Addressing the Need for More Transplant Centers: Filippo Milano, MD, Fred Hutch Cancer Center

2:35 - 2:50 p.m.         Refreshment Break

2:50 - 3:20 p.m.         Why a Bone Marrow Registry for Cord Blood? Heather Stefanski, MD, PhD (NMDP)
3:20 - 3:40 p.m.         Cord Blood Transplant Recipient:  Luke Fryer

3:40 - 4:10 p.m.         Call to Action: Maegan Capitano, Ph.D.
4:10 - 4:25 p.m.         Closing Remarks: John Garcia and Victor Waddell, Ph.D.

4:25 - 4:30 p.m.         End of Conference -  Kimberly Romo