Share the Science
Free Educational Series (Webinars and Live Events)

Share the Science is a unique educational series dedicated to the cord blood industry. Share the Science is always free and open to the public. Learn more about this exciting series bringing you the latest in research and industry best practices.

Click here to view archive Recordings (FREE - registration required)

Free to view (registration required via Eventbrite). Open to all. Recommended for healthcare professionals.

What is Share the Science?

Save The Cord Foundation and WellSky (formerly known as Mediware) have teamed up to provide the cellular therapy industry with an exclusive speaker series to discuss the topics in which you and your peers are most interested.  Join us as we feature today’s leaders in cord blood research and cord blood transplants.  Learn about the latest developments in the cord blood industry by participating in discussions with our speakers as they present their latest research, opinions on industry news and so much more.
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These cord blood webinars are free to view (registration required) and open to the general public. Please be advised that this series often focuses on the more technical aspects of cord blood research as our speakers present their latest findings in detail. Each session is recorded live and then archived for future viewing (some exceptions apply). Click here to view the archive (registration required via Eventbrite).

#ShareTheScience​

About WellSky (Official Sponsor of Share the Science):

​WellSky is a technology company leading the movement for intelligent, coordinated care worldwide. Our next-level software, analytics, and services power better outcomes and lower costs for stakeholders across the health and community care continuum. In today’s value-based care environment, WellSky helps providers, payers, health systems, and community organizations solve tough challenges, improve collaboration for growth, harness the power of data analytics, and achieve better outcomes by further connecting clinical and social care. Learn more at www.wellsky.com

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Recordings currently available in the archive (click here to view via Eventbrite):

• Heather STEFANSKI, MD, PhD - Umbilical Cord Blood for Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia - Past, Present, Future: Dr. Heather Stefanski, Senior VP of Medical Services at Be The Match / National Marrow Donor Program, discusses how the source of stem cells influences outcomes for pediatric patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. In particular, Dr. Stefanski compares post-HSCT outcomes of different donor sources analyzed after consecutive transplants performed in several international centers from 2005 to 2015.
• Atul MALHOTRA, MD, PhD & Lindsay ZHOU, MD - Cord Blood Cell Therapy for Preterm Brain Injury: For this edition of Share the Science, we are pleased to welcome both Dr. Atul Malhotra and Dr. Lindsay Zhou from Monash University who will discuss the potential of cord blood in the treatment of brain injury. In particular, they will discuss their own research in this area and a study to test the feasibility of collection and isolation of sufficient UCBCs from cord blood, and the safety of intravenous administration of autologous UCBCs in extremely preterm infants suffering from brain injury during the neonatal period. 
• Suzanne PONTOW, PhD - Transplant Activity Reflects the Diversity of the California Public Cord Blood Inventory: Join us to hear Dr. Suzanne Pontow, Director of the California Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Program, go into detail about cord blood collection amongst diverse ethnic populations. In her presentation, Dr. Pontow will describe the program's racial and Hispanic ethnicity demographic and usage characteristics of cord blood units (CBUs) preserved under this legislative program and retrieved for transplantation.
• Mitchell HORWITZ, MD - Improved Clinical Outcomes with Omidubicel vs. Standard Myeloablative Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation: Dr. Mitchell Horwitz discusses phase 3 randomized study results testing the potential of Omidubicel on 125 patients with hematologic malignancies, from 2017-2020. (Omidubicel is an ex vivo expanded hematopoietic progenitor cell and non-expanded myeloid and lymphoid cell product that is derived from a single umbilical cord blood unit.)
• Madison PATON, PhD & Megan FINCH-EDMONDSON, PhD - Witness 15 Years of Cord Blood in the Treatment of Cerebral Palsy: Direct from the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute at the University of Sydney, Dr. Paton and Dr. Finch-Edmondson discuss their review of the use of cord blood as a treatment of cerebral palsy over the past 15 years.
• Maria de los Angeles (Angie) MUNIZ, MD and Federico Rodriguez QUESADA SBB, MLSi(ASCP) CM with ​Christina CELLUZZI, PhD, MS, Director of Biotherapies, AABB - The AABB Toolkit: New Horizons for Cord Blood: In this special presentation by AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies), presenters will suggest ways for cord blood banks and users to diversify uses of this life-saving medical resource and delve into the current regulations from the USA and the EU.
• Maegan CAPITANO, M.D. - Impact of Temperature on Cord Blood Transplant Efficacy (Special Hommage to Dr. Hal Broxmeyer): Join us to hear Dr. Capitano discuss her latest research published in co-operation with the late Dr. Hal Broxmeyer, focused on the ideal conditions for collecting and processing cord blood for transplant.
• Juliet BARKER, M.D. - Optimizing CBT Practices Can Reduce Transplant-related Mortality:  Join us to hear Dr. Barker discuss optimization of cord blood transplantation (CBT) practices at Memorial Sloane Kettering including graft selection, conditioning, graft thaw and early post-transplant supportive care — especially prevention and management of graft-versus-host disease and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.
• Amanda OLSON, M.D. - Reducing Risk of Infection in Cord Blood Transplantation:  Join us to hear Dr. Amanda Olson speak from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in detail about the best practices in the prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections in adult patients undergoing cord blood transplantation. She will present evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections in adult patients undergoing CBT.
• John WAGNER, M.D. - Combatting GVHD with UCB-derived regulatory T cells: Save the Cord Foundation and WellSky are proud to present pioneering researcher John Wagner, MD, as he shares some of his latest work involving potential treatment of autoimmunity and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
• Camillo RICORDI, M.D. - Reducing risks of COVID-19 with mesenchymal stem cells (Examine the details of a University of Miami study): Join Dr. Camillo Ricordi, the study’s senior author, as he reviews the data and the potential for stem cells to be used more broadly to treat COVID-19 and similar respiratory infections.
• Shernan HOLTAN, M.D. - Reducing the cost of post-transplant care with cord blood: Recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) require substantial follow-up care after transplant. Now, data from 1,077 consecutive adult allogeneic HCT recipients at the University of Minnesota Medical School suggest that HCTs involving umbilical cord blood (UCB) had the lowest overall health care burden in the five years after transplant.
• Karen BALLEN, M.D. - Alternative Donor Stem Cell Source: Dr. Karen Ballen, Professor of Medicine and Section Chief of Hematology, Hematologic Malignancy, and Stem Cell Transplant at the University of Virginia discusses the challenges and opportunities alternative donor stem cell transplantation provides. She will review the indications and side effects of allogeneic transplant and discuss the selection of the optimal donor for each patient, including matched related and unrelated donors, and haploidentical donors and umbilical cord blood donors. 
• Joanne KURTZBERG, M.D. Novel Cell Therapies Derived from Cord Blood Monocytes (LIVE EVENT - no recording available): Live at the AABB conference, Dr. Kurtzberg detailed how cord blood monocytes differ from monocytes in adult blood and appear to be uniquely suited for use as source material from which to derive new therapeutics for treatment of brain disorders.
• Marcie FINNEY, MS, MBA - Driving Cord Blood Utilization through R&D: With her extensive background in cord blood research and practical approach to business, Marcie Finney of the Cleveland Cord Blood Center is poised to lead this new approach to cord blood R&D. In this presentation, she explores the potential of the cell therapy incubators. 
• Filippo MILANO, M.D. - Outcomes of Cord Blood Transplants: Dr. Filippo Milano is a world-renowned stem cell transplant expert specializing in cord blood transplants. For years, he has helped cancer patients via his role at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center or "The Hutch," as it is often called.  As the Associate Director of the Cord Blood Transplantation program at "The Hutch," Dr. Milano has been particularly focused on ways to increase the number of patients eligible for a cord blood transplant via improved clinical practices. His work has been focused on making improvements that would ultimately lead to better clinical outcomes for cord blood recipients and translate to a better quality of life post-transplant. 
• Curtis CETRULO, Jr., MD - Stem Cells and Immunologic Tolerance for Hand and Face Transplant: Building on cord blood and perinatal stem cell research, Dr. Curtis Cetrulo, Jr. shows us how stem cells are key in ground-breaking hand and face transplants. 
• Curtis CETRULO, MD - Reconstructive Transplantation: New Paradigms, New Technologies: Dr. Curtis Cetrulo practices cutting-edge adult and pediatric reconstructive microsurgery, as well as hand surgery, breast and burn reconstruction, and reconstruction of extremities and traumatic facial injuries. He presents numerous inspirational examples of how VCAs are changing lives. This is research which builds on the world of cord blood research and the use of cord blood stem cells in regenerative medicine. 
• Sairah AHMED, MD - Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) Cell Therapy for Lymphoma: From MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Ahmed speaks about her research regarding CAR-T Cell therapy and the multiple constructs of CAR-T therapy, and when they are effective for the treatment of certain types of lymphoma.
• Lloyd ROSE, PhD - Stem Cell Therapies for the Wounded Warrior: Dr. Lloyd Rose of US Army Medical Material Development Activity presents his research regarding regenerative stem cell therapies and how the US Department of Defense is harnessing this research to help injured soldiers. Discover the extraordinary work the DoD is doing in cell therapy and regenerative medicine to address traumatic injuries, especially those suffered by Military personnel. 
• Jaap Jan BOELENS, MD, PhD - Immune Reconstitution after Cord Blood Transplantation: Dr. Boelens joins us from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, to present his research on cord blood transplants and the numerous factors influencing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes. Understanding the nuances of cord blood transplantation, pre- and post-transplant, are key to treating any patient undergoing this procedure.  Often the patient's survival and quality of life post-transplant is driven by their body's ability to rebuild the immune system. Join us on August 20th to learn how transplant doctors can exploit cord blood's unique qualities during this process of recovery and period of reconstitution. Dr. Jaap Boelens will present his latest research in this area and explain how reconstituting immune cells from cord blood differs from other stem cell sources. 
• Linheng LI, PhD -  Uncover new strategies to manage hematopoietic diseases through HSC self-renewal: Dr. Li joins us from the University of Kansas Cancer Center and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, to present his research on RNA modification to promote self-renewal of HSCs, resulting in HSC expansion.
• Alvaro G. MOREIRA, MD, MSc - Intranasal delivery of human umbilical cord tissue stem cells restores lung growth and development in an animal model of neonatal lung disease:  Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a devastating lung condition that develops in premature newborns exposed to prolonged mechanical ventilation and supplemental oxygen. Significant morbidity and mortality are associated with this costly disease and effective therapies are limited. Dr. Moreira's study is the first to report the intranasal delivery of umbilical cord Wharton's jelly MSCs in experimental BPD is feasible, noninvasive, and an effective route that may bear clinical applicability.
• Kate GIRARD, RN, MSN - Special Session of Share the Science on Delayed Cord Clamping:  Ms. Girard will provide an overview on the timing of cord clamping and review the data driving the increase in delayed cord clamping.  She will also look at how this practice affects collection volumes and provide accessible information for parents and professionals on policies, procedures and education regarding delayed clamping. 
• Kandice KAPINOS, PhD- Towards a Sustainable Cord Blood Supply for the United States: Fifteen years after the launch of the program, the US Department of Heath and Human Services asked the RAND Corporation to assess the current state of cord blood industry, donation programs and ways to improve the sustainability of the NCBI. In 2017, Kandice Kapinos of RAND Corporation and her colleagues published their report and made recommendations. 
• Ed BRINDLE - How to Ensure Proper Lab Sanitization for Cord Blood Processing Laboratory:  Mr. Brindle highlights the best practices used by successful cord blood processing laboratories and illustrates how you can implement them at your facility. The discussion will also look to the future and consider the implications of potential advances in cord research on your lab's cord blood collection criteria and processing. 
• ​Ngaire ELWOOD, PhD - The Renaissance of Public Cord Blood Banks: Dr. Elwood discusses the renaissance of public cord blood banks.  In particular, Dr. Elwood will highlight several of the new developments in cord blood banking which promise to increase cord blood usage in the future.  ​
• Paul ELDRIDGE, PhD - Transition to the 7th Edition of the NetCord-FACT Cord Blood Standards:  Dr. Eldridge, Director of Advanced Cellular Therapeutics Facility at University of North Carolina Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program and chair of the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) standards committee, will review the significant changes to the Seventh Edition of the NetCord-FACT Cord Blood Standards. He will also provide examples for effective implementation.
• Heidi ELMOAZZEN, PhD - Impact of Covid-19 on the Stem Cell Community: 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.
• Donna REGAN, MT (ASCP) SBB - Meeting Demand for Stem Cell Donors during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Donna Regan discuss the new challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.  In particular, she will highlight the new difficulties faced when trying to connect stem cell donors to patients in need and how cord blood has made things easier.  
• Michael CHEZ, MD - Stem Cell Therapy in Autism: Experience and Outcomes: Dr. Chez present a broad overview of past and current clinical trials applying stem cell therapy to autism spectrum disorders, as well as future therapeutic opportunities. He will explain the theories behind why stem cell therapy may be useful in autism treatment options. He will discuss recent trials using autologous umbilical cord and other stem cell sourced treatments, as well as the results of those trials. He will also look a the risks and safety of, and the limitations found to date in applying, stem cell therapy. 

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Our team is currently updating the "Share the Science" archives. More videos to be added soon.