Transplantation: Cord Blood
Not sure what cord blood transplantation is? Cord blood stem cells can be collected from the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born. This material, called a cord blood unit; is taken to a cord blood bank to be tested, frozen and stored long-term. Testing includes human leukocyte antigen typing and testing for infectious agents. The blood is then frozen, usually in liquid nitrogen, for future use. When needed for a transplant, the cord blood unit can be shipped to the transplant center.
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Because we want to be sure that our visitors find the most relevant resources, we've listed these organizations in order of relevancy from most specifically relevant to most generally relevant to the topic of this page.
BE THE MATCH
Contact: (800) 627-7692 (General Information); (888) 999-6743 (Patient Advocacy); (612) 627-8140 (International)
Population served: Patients worldwide with diseases that can be treated by a bone marrow or cord blood transplant
BE THE MATCH is dedicated to creating an opportunity for all patients to receive the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant they need, when they need it.
- BE THE MATCH is staffed by case managers who answer questions about the process of bone marrow and cord blood transplant as well as life after transplant
- Provides publications about the donor process and the patient transplant process
- Assists those interested in joining the donor registry
- Offers free educational information, via presentations over the telephone, on topics related to bone marrow and cord blood transplant
- Helps patients who have limited insurance pay for BE THE MATCH Registry search costs and/or some post-transplant costs. You must live in the United States and need financial assistance to be eligible
- Administers the Related Donor Cord Blood Program
National Cord Blood Program of the New York Blood Center (NCBP)
Contact: (866) 767-6227
Population served: Patients, caregivers and health professionals worldwide
NCBP was founded to investigate cord blood as a possible solution to a critical public health need - finding appropriate hematopoietic transplants for patients who have no matched bone marrow donors. NCBP is the largest nonprofit public cord blood bank in the world.
- Has designated teams of trained technicians and nurses working in six collaborating U.S. hospitals in New York, Virginia and Ohio to collect cord blood donations
- NCBP staff work with transplant centers internationally to select the best available cord blood unit for each individual patient
ExploreBMT
Website only
Population served: Patients, caregivers, and anyone looking for resources around stem cell transplantation
ExploreBMT, an easy-to-search web portal, is the result of collaboration by several organizations. It allows users to browse through multiple resources and services needed throughout the transplant journey, from diagnosis through survivorship. Users can search for resources according to:
- The age of the patient (pediatric, adult)
- The phase of transplant
- The type of resource needed
