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Unrelated bone marrow transplantation in Canada, the national experience
N A Buskard1, R K Smiley, R A Perrault
1Canadian Red Cross Society, Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Registry, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Insights
The Canadian Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Registry (UBMDR) was established to recruit donors for bone marrow transplants. International collaboration is key to expanding donor pools and transplant options for patients.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Transplantation Immunology
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- The Canadian Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Registry (UBMDR) was established in 1989.
- The registry aimed to recruit 50,000 unrelated bone marrow donors.
- Canadian patients have historically relied on international donors for bone marrow transplants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a national registry for unrelated bone marrow donors in Canada.
- To facilitate worldwide searches for compatible bone marrow donors for Canadian patients.
- To expand the reach and diversity of the Canadian bone marrow donor pool.
Main Methods:
- The Canadian Red Cross Society (CRCS) Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) managed the registry.
- Funding was secured from all Canadian provinces.
- A national coordinating center was established in Vancouver.
Main Results:
- Since February 1988, 64 unrelated bone marrow transplants have been performed in Canada.
- Over 50% of unrelated donors were sourced internationally.
- Working relationships were established with bone marrow registries in the United States, United Kingdom, and France.
Conclusions:
- The UBMDR has successfully initiated recruitment efforts across twelve Canadian cities.
- International collaboration is crucial for successful unrelated bone marrow transplantation.
- Future growth is expected in registry size, ethnic diversity, and transplant indications.
Abstract:
The Canadian Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Registry (UBMDR) of the Canadian Red Cross Society (CRCS) Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) was officially funded as of April 1, 1989 for an initial three year period with a mandate to recruit 50,000 unrelated bone marrow donors and conduct the search activities for unrelated bone marrow donors worldwide on behalf of Canadian patients (1). All provinces of Canada agreed to fund the Registry and it was unanimously adopted to locate the Canadian National Coordinating Centre (CNCC) of the Registry in Vancouver. Since February of 1988, 64 unrelated bone marrow transplants have been carried out in Canada. Over half of the unrelated donors have come from other countries. Canada has established working relationships with the United States, the United Kingdom and France. Recruitment of unrelated bone marrow donors is now established in twelve Canadian cities with more to follow. It is anticipated that the size of the registries world wide will continue to increase, that their ethnic makeup will become diversified and that the indications for unrelated bone marrow transplantation will broaden in the years to come.