The Bone Marrow Donor Institute (BMDI) Cord Blood Bank celebrated three significant milestones on Wednesday 6 June 2007 with a function at The Royal Children’s Hospital.

2007 has been an exciting year for the BMDI Cord Blood Bank. After recently celebrating 10 years of operation, it released its 100th cord blood unit for a life saving transplant in 2007.  Kelly Riggs-Dobie, who donated this 100th cord blood was present, as was 5 year old Milli who is recovering from cancer thanks to a cord blood donation. 

The BMDI Cord Blood Bank also received international accreditation from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) which recognises the BMDI Cord Blood Bank as having a high standard of operation, and therefore is more likely to be sourced for transplants worldwide.  The BMDI Cord Blood Bank is the first cord blood bank in Australia to be granted this prestigious accreditation, and only the thirteenth in the world. 

BMDI Cord Blood Bank Ambassador and cord blood donor, Tracey Curro joined us to celebrate these milestones and spoke of her personal experience and her passion for the BMDI Cord Blood Bank.

The BMDI Cord Blood Bank, a member of AusCord, offers a second chance of life to those diagnosed with leukaemia and other life threatening blood disorders. The BMDI Cord Blood Bank was established to service not only the Australian community but the international community at large.

The BMDI Cord Blood Bank is a partnership between the Bone Marrow Donor Institute, the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

For media enquiries contact:
Julie Webber
Manager Public Affairs, The Royal Children’s Hospital
Tel: 0407 327 418 or 3945 5522 and page