Cord Blood Center Information
For a healthier Ohio...and beyond
The Cleveland Cord Blood Center's cord blood bank was established to meet Ohio's need for umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells for use in both transplants and cord blood research. Initially, cord blood will be collected at major birthing centers in Northeast Ohio, incorporating the area's ethnically diverse population. Preliminary discussions are also underway with hospitals in other regions of the state.
Serving all populations
The Cleveland Cord Blood Center (CCBC) is dedicated to serving all populations regardless of their social economic class. CCBC is helping to enhance the region's ability to provide patients with suitable matched stem cells for treatment. The Cord Blood Center's diverse donor pool will help enhance the number of suitable matches available for the area's African American, Latino and Asian populations.
The Cleveland Look Forward Program
Mothers who donate their babies' umbilical cord blood will be invited to participate in The Cleveland Look Forward Program. This important program will collect medical information that will contribute to lifesaving cord blood research.
Over the course of the first five years following a baby's birth and cord blood donation, mothers will be invited to take part in a short telephone interview to obtain follow-up information about the cord blood donating mothers' and their infants' health. Incidences of autism, leukemia and cancer in cord blood donating infants, as well as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes in the donating mothers will be obtained.
Using state-of-the-art cord blood research technology, the secure information will be used in studies designed to identify mothers and infants at-risk of disease. This information will also be used to develop possible interventions or diagnose the disease early before clinical symptoms arise.
The Goodman Leukemia Research Institute
In conjunction with the work of Cleveland Cord Blood Center, the Goodman Leukemia Research Institute will support new investigators in research laboratories who focus on the diagnosis and treatment of leukemia – with the ultimate goal of increased success in the treatment of leukemia patients, including, if needed, the transplantation of lifesaving cord blood-derived stem cells.
The growing importance
Today, the use of cord blood accounts for approximately 1 in every 5 stem cell transplants performed in the U.S. With a continued dedication to the eradication of leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood-related diseases, the Cleveland Cord Blood Center, under Dr. Laughlin's leadership, will explore new, regenerative medicine therapies for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson's disorder, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune deficiency diseases, and more.
Cord Blood Center Leadership
Mary J. Laughlin MD Cleveland Cord Blood Center Founder and Medical Director
A global leader in cord blood transplants and research.
In 1993, Dr. Mary J. Laughlin performed the world's first successful umbilical cord blood transplant worldwide in an adult leukemia patient. Dr. Laughlin is one of world's foremost experts in the area of cord blood stem cell transplants and research. She is the current president of the International Society for Cellular Therapy.
Cord Blood Center Affiliations
The Cleveland Cord Blood Center is affiliated with these organizations:
Cord Blood Center Support
The Cleveland Cord Blood Center is supported by:
- The Abraham J. and Phyllis Katz Foundation
- The Dr. Donald J. and Ruth Weber Goodman Philanthropic Fund
The Cleveland Cord Blood Center is also supported by Private Donations.
For more information on how you can donate your child’s cord blood, contact us.
Contribute to innovative cord blood research; donate to Cleveland Cord Blood Center.