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I am very pleased to report that Cord Blood Connect at AABB was a complete success.
Cord Blood Connect was held from October 25-28th, 2025 at the San Diego Convention Center in conjunction with the AABB Annual Meeting. AABB was a gracious and welcoming host for the event, and the cross fertilization with AABB members for the sessions and the exhibits were also a clear benefit in increasing exposure to our cord blood/cord tissue focused program. The CBC program was robust and very well attended, with some sessions being standing room only. Thank you to all who worked on the planning committee, especially Chair Colleen Delaney, and the speakers who shared their expertise.
Beth Shaz and I met with AABB leadership to discuss plans for the coming year. First, CBC will occur with AABB in 2026 in Atlanta, GA, October 17-19. Watch for announcements from AABB over the coming months. Second, as CBA dissolves on November 1, 2025, AABB will form a Cord Blood Committee, led by Dr. Kurtzberg and members of CBA leadership, to create and address the agenda for the cord blood community over the coming year. This will continue the mission of the CBA within the AABB. The program for CBC 2026 at AABB will also be created over the coming months. Please share ideas with me, Beth Shaz, Colleen Delaney, or Marcie Finney or be on the lookout to submit a session via AABB.
A last and serious request from me to all CBA members is to please join the AABB to continue the mission of the CBA. One can join individually, accredited or non-accredited institution, or as a corporate partner. For banks, one does not need to have AABB accreditation to join. If anyone has any questions about how to join AABB, just reach out to me, and I will help you navigate the course.
Other ways of being involved at AABB is through committees or the cellular therapies section, which has a cord blood subsection, which is open to all AABB members.
Thanks to all of you for allowing me to lead the CBA over the past decade. Thanks also to our Executive Committee, CBA Board, CBA-Foundation board, members, and corporate partners. I am excited and optimistic for the path we are now taking and confident that this will enable us to extend and expand the mission of the CBA with AABB during these exciting times.
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