If you are regular attendee of our Share the Science webinar series, then you already know that cord blood stem cells have numerous advantages over other stem cell sources. In particular, in comparison to bone marrow for example, cord blood is much easier to match to a patient in need of a stem cell transplant and cord blood units are available at a moment's notice given that the cord blood units only take a few days to ship once matched to a patient. Despite these advantages, Dr. Colleen Delaney and her team at Fred Hutch have observed a decline in the utilization of cord blood as a source of stem cells for allogeneic hematopoietic transplants. 

Where and why is this decline happening? There was an increase in the use of cord blood units in some regions of the world during COVID. Why has the trend reversed? How can we increase usage again? 

​Dr. Delaney will discuss her observations regarding this decline in the use of umbilical cord blood as a primary stem cell source for allogeneic hematopoietic transplants. She will discuss best practices for improving cord blood donor selection and increasing better quality and larger amounts of starting material products. This forward thinking session will address ways to potentially increase the use of cord blood units and highlight the pros/cons of its use. 

Key points of this webinar will include: 

• Reflecting on trends in cord blood usage
• Best practices in donor selection
• Increasing quality and quantities of collections
• Looking forward at ways to increase utilization

Treating sickle cell is often compared with a marathon. For young people suffering from sickle cell, life is focused on treating pain episodes and preventing infections. Blood transfusions and long hospital stays are also common. Strokes can also be a risk and this was the case for Sosa. 

After years of fighting sickle cell anemia, doctors realized Sosa needed more. She needed a stem cell transplant and recommended that she consider participating in a clinical trial at the time. At the ripe age of 12 years old, Sosa underwent an innovative procedure to try to cure her of sickle cell -- a double nicord cord blood transplant.  The procedure worked and she was declared cured.

Join us on Wednesday, April 19th to hear Sosa describe life before, during and after the cord blood transplant process. She will speak in detail regarding: 

1. The experience of being diagnosed with sickle cell anemia.
2. Being identified and selected for a cord blood clinical trial.
3. Navigating the transplant process and the challenges associated.
4. Hearing the words "you are cured of sickle cell anemia".

SHARE THE SCIENCE
with
Sosa Evbuomwan
Double Nicord Cord Blood Transplant Recipient
for Sickle Cell Anemia
 
"Meet Sosa: How a Cord Blood Transplant Cured Sickle Cell" 
Free webinar.  Open to the public.
​
Wednesday, April 19th 5pm US Eastern Time / 2pm US Pacific Time


RECORDING AVAILABLE NOW. CLICK HERE TO WATCH.

​Join us for this special edition of Share the Science which will focus on how important collaboration is in the cord blood industry. We will sit down with Dr. David Lin, the Medical Director of Bloodworks Bio & the Public Cord Blood Bank & Dr. Randal Wada, the Medical director of the Hawaii Bone Marrow Donor Registry and the Hawaii Cord Blood Bank.  Together we will learn how they have structured their businesses to work together and create success for both.

The Cord Blood Donation Program operates within Bloodworks Northwest, an independent, community-based nonprofit organization with a tradition blending volunteerism, medical science and research to advance transfusion medicine and improve patient care.

Cord blood units are collected at the Hawaii Cord Blood Bank and sent to their partners at Bloodworks Northwest in Seattle for processing and storage. Those units collected by the Hawaii Cord Blood Bank are then listed with the National Marrow Donor Program’s network of cord blood banks.

Listen into this live Q&A session to learn how Bloodworks and the Hawaii Cord Blood Bank work together to ensure safe inventory levels of this important live saving resource.