April 2005

Institute of Medicine advisory: Cord blood stem cells

Stem cells from umbilical cord blood are used to treat a number of diseases, but the current system for collecting, storing, and allocating donated cord blood is fragmented and less efficient than it could be. ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL CORD BLOOD BANK PROGRAM, a new congressionally mandated report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, proposes a structure for a fully coordinated, national cord blood bank program. The report also recommends ways to increase the size and diversity of the inventory of banked cord blood.

Advance copies will be available to reporters only beginning at noon EDT on Wednesday, April 13. THE REPORT IS EMBARGOED AND NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE BEFORE 4 P.M. EDT ON THURSDAY, APRIL 14. Reporters can obtain a copy by contacting the National Academies' Office of News and Public Information at tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail [email protected].