Strengthening Quality and Practice

Greeting, colleagues.

Cord blood has played a vital role in advancing transplantation and cellular therapies, offering novel and sometimes life-saving treatments for patients who may not have access to other options. Cord blood has evolved from discarded medical waste into a curative therapy for malignant and non-malignant diseases, including sickle cell disease and blood cancers, with more than 60,000 cord blood transplants performed worldwide. Although the landscape is shifting, the clinical applications and potential of cord blood remain strong.

As this area of the field continues to evolve, AABB remains deeply committed to strengthening quality and practice advancing cord blood research and the cord blood community. Last year, this commitment took another important step forward, as AABB welcomed members of the former Cord Blood Association (CBA) into the AABB community following the organization’s dissolution. To support this transition, AABB formed a new Cord Blood Committee to continue the CBA’s mission and help shape the future of cord blood and birth tissue therapies through clinical and translational research, education, public policy and global collaboration.

AABB has also expanded cord blood-specific education and engagement opportunities for our members. The new AABB Cord Blood Library offers curated resources designed to support professionals, donors and patients with a focused interest in cord blood. These initiatives ensure continued access to specialized educational programming, professional development and networking opportunities, while connecting the cord blood community to AABB’s broader global community.

In 2025, Cord Blood Connect, the annual meeting of the CBA, was integrated into the AABB Annual Meeting for the first time. This integration brought together sessions that explored both the benefits and challenges facing the cord blood field, while fostering deeper connections across the blood and biotherapies community and reflecting the shared priorities of both organizations. Cord Blood Connect will continue to be an important part of the AABB Annual Meeting from now on. 

The Next Chapter

This issue of AABB News is dedicated to addressing both the opportunities and challenges facing cord blood banking today. Our cover story examines the future of the field, with leading experts discussing why cord blood still matters. The second feature explores the evolving role of public cord blood banks, examining how these programs can better serve patients with limited access. In this issue’s “White Coats” column, Frances Verter, founder of the Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood, reflects on her journey as a scientist and patient advocate, as well as future developments in the field.

By supporting education, research and connection, we can help ensure that cord blood continues to play a meaningful role in patient care—both today and in the years to come.

Jose Cancelas, MD, PhD, CABP
AABB President