Osler and Canadian Blood Services celebrate a decade of changing lives with Cord Blood Bank

Brampton Civic Hospital proud to be only community hospital cord blood collection site in Canada

William Osler Health System (Osler) and Canadian Blood Services (CBS) recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of Brampton Civic Hospital’s public cord blood collection site, one of only four collection sites – and the only community hospital – in the country.

Since July 2014, Brampton Civic’s Women’s and Children’s Unit, in partnership with CBS, has collected nearly 10,000 cord blood units from donor parents who delivered their babies at the hospital. Cord blood contains life-saving stem cells that are used to treat over 80 diseases and disorders, including cancer, sickle cell disease, anemia and immune system disorders.

Brampton Civic’s vital contributions to the public Cord Blood Bank were recognized at a special celebration onsite in July, during Cord Blood Awareness Month, alongside federal and provincial elected representatives, Osler staff, physicians and volunteers and patients and families. Attendees heard from Osler and CBS staff who champion the Cord Blood Program. Manny Ford, whose son is a cord blood stem cell recipient, and cord blood stem cell donor, Raman Sandhu, also shared their personal experiences and the positive impacts of cord blood donations.

“Osler provides care within one of the fastest-growing, most culturally diverse areas of the province, and Brampton Civic Hospital represents an important cord blood collection site in our community,” said Tony Raso, Vice-President, Clinical Operations at William Osler Health System. “Patients are more likely to find a stem cell match from someone with a similar ethnic background – and parents who generously donate cord blood give every patient more chance of a match and, sometimes, life-saving treatment.”

“We are proud to partner with William Osler Health System and are grateful for their participation in Canada’s Lifeline,” said Kathy Ganz, Director, Stem Cells at Canadian Blood Services. “Osler’s partnership is vital in enabling us to collect donated cord blood, which is made available to anyone in Canada and around the world who may be looking for a stem cell match. “The Canadian Blood Services Cord Blood Bank couldn’t operate without its dedicated collections staff at our Brampton Civic Hospital location.”

The CBS Cord Blood Bank provides the communities served by Osler as well communities across Canada with greater access to life-saving stem cells. Learn more about the CBS Cord Blood Bank. Expecting parents giving birth at Brampton Civic Hospital can learn more about cord blood donation at Osler.