Dr. Charles A. Sims of California Cryobank's Family Cord Blood Services Apppointed to National Stem Cell Advisory Council

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 31, 2008 -- Family Cord Blood Services, a subsidiary of California Cryobank, announced that its co-founder and medical director Charles A. Sims, MD, has been appointed to the Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Advisory Council on Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (ACBSCT). Dr. Sims will represent the Association of Family Cord Blood Banks (AFCBB), an organization representing cord blood banking (http://www.familycordbloodservices.com) industry that advocates matters of public policy, regulation and the development of industry standards by accrediting organizations.

"We are excited about further educating expectant parents and physicians about the medical advancements and life saving benefits of umbilical cord blood (http://www.familycordbloodservices.com) stem cells," Says Dr. Sims, whose term is scheduled to continue through January 2010.

The first ACBSCT meeting will be held January 28 and 29 at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Executive Meeting Center, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. The meeting will be open to the public; however seating is limited and pre-registration is encouraged. A registration form is available on the HRSA's Program Web site at http://bloodcell.transplant.hrsa.gov/ABOUT/Advisory_Council/index.html.

Advisory Council on Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

The Advisory Council on Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (ACBSCT) is established to advise the Secretary and the Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), on matters related to the activities of the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program (Program) and the National Cord Blood Inventory (NCBI) Program. The ACBSCT is composed of 23 members serving as Special Government Employees including representatives of marrow donor and transplant centers, recipients of bone marrow transplants and cord blood transplants, hematology and transfusion experts in adult stem cells, and members of the general public.

Association of Family Cord Blood Banks

The Association of Family Cord Blood Banks (AFCBB) serves as the voice of the family (private) cord blood banking industry. The AFCBB requires its members to comply with all applicable governmental agencies and to be accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) or an equivalent recognized accrediting organization. The association's Web site is http://www.afcbb.org.

Family Cord Blood Services

Founded in 1997, Family Cord Blood Services (FCBS), a subsidiary of California Cryobank, Inc., is an umbilical cord blood processing and storage company. FCBS is accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks and offers stem cell processing and storage for families throughout the United States and worldwide. The web site is www.familycordbloodservices.com.

California Cryobank

Founded in 1977, California Cryobank Inc. (CCB) is a full service sperm bank and offers the industry's largest and most diverse donor catalog, including open donors. Accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), CCB is also licensed by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), and in full compliance with all relevant Food and Drug Administration regulatory requirements. CCB is the only sperm bank to offer a Sibling Registry. Its reputation for quality and caring has made it one of the foremost reproductive tissue banks in the world. The website is www.cryobank.com.

Contacts:

Tanya Peebles

213-369-7746

media(at)familycordbloodservices.com

Erin Mayer

310-496-5693

emayer(at)familycordbloodservices.com

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