The World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA), a global association of blood stem cell, marrow and/or cord blood registries or organisations representing over 39 million blood stem cell donors from 55 different countries, announces the celebration of the 7th World Marrow Donor Day (WMDD) on 18th September 2021. Following the past six years of successful celebrations of this special day, the world again will come together on the 3rd Saturday of September. The primary purpose is to thank all donors and highlight global cooperation in blood stem cell transplantation. 

“The World Marrow Donor Association was established 27 years ago to ensure that donations of stem cells by altruistic volunteers could find their way to the patients who needed them, independent of geography and politics. World Marrow Donor Day is the embodiment of the value, respect and indeed love we in the transplantation community (and particularly the patients suffering from life-threatening diseases and their families) offer to our donors. It is only one day but it reflects what we think year-round in a concentrated way.” – Jeff Szer, Past President of the WMDA.

Due to the ongoing global pandemic WMDA has again decided to celebrate WMDD 2021 virtually. This year’s online event will be a 24hr Live Stream, broadcasted on YouTube (https://youtu.be/lVwJp5hJDuM)  and made possible in collaboration with Golden Partner and supporter of the event,  time:matters, a global courier company that specialises in life-saving transports.

On every continent, patients, donors, blood stem cell and cord blood organisations have prepared videos to share in the celebration and to spread awareness. 

What can we (you) do?

First and foremost, we want to express our gratitude to all of those parents who have donated their child's cord blood to the Arizona Public Cord Blood Program. This outstanding state-run collection program has given Arizonian parents the possibility to donate directly thanks to participating hospitals in the Arizona.  As the Official Education Partner for this program, we know how hard the AZ Public Cord Blood program team works to collect, process, store and distribute these life-saving cord blood units. We want to take this opportunity on World Marrow Donor Day to say THANK YOU!

Second, we want to ask you to learn more. Take advantage of the World Marrow Donor Day live stream to learn more about the Arizona Public Cord Blood Program. Join the live stream to watch our interview with Kristen Wilt, nurse and cord blood program co-ordinator at the Tucson Medical Center. She will explain in detail how cord blood collection works, how cord blood units are used and what makes the Arizona program special. It's a must see for parents and anyone wanting to understand how cord blood donation works. 

Show your support and watch the live stream (starting September 18th), click "I SUPPORT SAVING LIVES": 

Third, we ask you to share what you learn. Many families contact us frustrated that cord blood donation is not possible at their local hospital. Unfortunately, an easy answer does not exist. Public donation programs will only increase if awareness increases. You can help! Please share what you learn about public cord blood donation with the decision makers at your local hospital, local government and local parent groups.  Even one conversation could save a life. ​

We are proud to announce the 6th Annual Arizona Cord Blood Conference: Bridging the Gap. Join us for this free virtual conference on April 22nd, 2021 (9am-1pm MST) presented by the Arizona Public Cord Blood Program. RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE (until August 30th for registered attendees).

It has been a little over a year since Covid-19 started spreading around the world, disrupting life as we know it.  While lockdowns have brought life to a standstill in some regions, healthcare professionals have pushed forward with urgent, life-saving treatments for cancer patients in need of stem cell transplants.  Cord blood has been an important part of this story, especially for those patients whose bone marrow donor may no longer be available. In these situations, cord blood has been bridging the gap. 

In reality, cord blood has helped to bridge the gap between stem cell donors and patients for well over 30 years. Today, the medical community recognizes cord blood for its unique qualities: easier to match than bone marrow, available off-the-shelf in just days, collected easily, . . . the advantages are numerous. 

Cord blood is also key to increasing diversity of stem cell donors on public registries, like the Arizona Public Cord Blood program. Thanks to the fact cord blood donation is free and easily done after the birth of a child, donation programs can be targetted in regions where there may be a larger population of ethnic minorities. By increasing diversity on public stem cell registries (such as the NMDP BeTheMatch registry), more transplant matches can be found for patients in need. Cord blood allows us to bridge the gap between a donor and a patient in need. ​

COVID-19 has had a significant global impact on the stem cell and cord blood community. With hospitals at maximum capacity and travel restrictions often in place, many cancer patients have discovered that their original bone marrow donor may no longer be available or that a Covid infection has made this donation impossible. Luckily, doctors have another source of stem cells -- cord blood. 

As the Director of Stem Cells at Canadian Blood Services, Dr. Heidi Elmoazzen has witnessed this evolution first hand. We are pleased to welcome her this December to give us a live update on the situation. She will explain how the pandemic has impacted the stem cell supply chain, registries, and recruitment. Dr. Elmoazzen will also examine the advantages of cord blood-derived stem cells and examine why the demand for cord blood products has increased during the pandemic.

If your medical team is considering collecting cord blood or recommending it for stem cell transplants, this is a vital webinar to attend. The industry is changing rapidly while the pandemic brings new logistical challenges everyday. Learning from experts like Dr. Elmoazzen is critical. Make this webinar a must see for your team of doctors, nurses, midwives and hospital administration.

SHARE THE SCIENCE
with
Heidi Elmoazzen, PhD

Director of Stem Cells at Cord Blood Services

"Impact of Covid-19 on the Stem Cell Community"

Free webinar.  Open to the public.
​
Wednesday, December 9th - 12:30 pm Eastern Time/ 9:30 am Pacific Time

RECORDING AVAILABLE