NEW RESEARCH OPTION
Did you know...cord blood specimens are available for your research through The Dan Berger Cord Blood Program at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC and ITxM?
Each month, about 60 to 80 cord blood specimens are unable to be banked due to QNS or low cell counts. They are, however, viable for research.
Perks of cord blood specimen use:
-There's some medical information available for each specimen
-Specimens are fresh/frozen for use in a timely manner - sometimes within 24 hours
Do you have a clinical trial focusing on a specific disease?
Through The Dan Berger Cord Blood Program, you have access to patient registries from contracted private banks - CorCell, Cord Blood Registry, and ViaCord.
Please note there will be fees incurred for use of cord blood specimens.
Want to learn more?
Contact Dennis English, MD, at denglish@mail.magee.edu.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Top of the PageDownload your free copy of The Dan Berger Cord Blood brochure.
The Story of Dan Berger:
Dan Berger was a prominent Pittsburgh attorney, citizen, and humanitarian who
was diagnosed with cancer. After many years of treatment and remission,
Dan received a successful stem cell transplant to cure him of both the lymphoma
and the leukemia that ensued. In July of 2006, Dan’s heart
failed. It was in the course of his treatment that Dan and his wife,
Carol, recognized the lifesaving impact of stem cells, and in particular,
umbilical cord blood, which is rich in stem cells.
The Berger family approached Magee-Womens Foundation to encourage a systematic collection of umbilical cord blood. With much hard work and dedication, Magee publicly unveiled The Dan Berger Cord Blood Program in October 2007.
The program is distinct because the hospital offers expectant parents three cord blood options from which to choose – donate to a public bank or research, or store in a private bank. Expectant parents can donate to the public bank ITxM, or one of three contracted private banks including CorCell, ViaCord, and Cord Blood Registry.
Cord blood stem cells have been used to treat more than 40 diseases, including many cancers, and account for more than 8,000 transplants worldwide and offers hope to many families, like the Berger family.
Donating or preserving cord blood is a great way to advance research and medical developments in hopes of finding cures for many diseases including cancer and diabetes. Learn more about ways to Support the Future of Medical Discoveries.
The state of Pennsylvania passed legislature, House Bill 874, requiring hospitals that offer baby delivery services to educate expectant parents about their cord blood options and then be able to accommodate such requests. Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC has taken the initiative to lead by example in educating other hospitals and medical centers about how to establish a cord blood program.
Magee-Womens Foundation
The Dan Berger Cord Blood Program was established through Magee-Womens Foundation. The Foundation was established in 1984 to support the efforts of Magee-Womens Research Institute and Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC through philanthropy. The Foundation's philanthropic efforts sustain research, educational outreach, and improved patient care. While all donations stay at Magee, their results can have global impact on the health of women and infants.Since its founding, Magee-Womens Foundation has raised more than $70 million from public and private sources. These funds have been used to enhance research and patient care throughout the Magee system.
Thank You
in partnership with UPMC Health Plan and Highmark Foundation.