NetCord to Become Working Group of WMDA
NetCord, the organization of leading cord blood banks and FACT’s partner in cord blood standards and accreditation, has joined with the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA). Its activities will be incorporated into an expanded working group within WMDA that will take on NetCord’s important work. The working group’s new mission statement will be, “To support, promote and enhance safety, efficacy and availability of international exchange of cord blood units and to harmonize global practice of cord blood banking and supply.” It is also expected that this will enhance the cord blood community’s ability to focus on cellular therapy from cord blood products. Together, NetCord and WMDA will continue the strong leadership position carved out by NetCord in cord blood banking, with its abilities strengthened by the support of the WMDA. By joining WMDA, there will be a more efficient use of volunteers and their time, and require less overhead expenses.
Within the working group, NetCord’s members will continue to support the NetCord-FACT International Standards for Cord Blood Collection, Banking, and Release for Administration and make accreditation decisions based on those Standards. Gesine Kögler, PhD, will serve as the official liaison to FACT. Dr. Kögler is a long-time member of the FACT Standards and Accreditation Committees. More details will be shared with the FACT community as they become available.
Dr. Kögler will give a presentation on the new relationship between NetCord and WMDA at the FACT Cord Blood Inspection & Accreditation Workshop at the ISCT Annual Meeting in London on May 2, 2017.
