22
March

2026 WMDA Workshop: Clinical Use of Cord Blood, Madrid, Spain

✨ This March in Madrid: a unique opportunity for the cord blood community! ✨

The Cord Blood Operations Committee is pleased to invite you to a dedicated workshop on the clinical use of cord blood. This interactive session will explore current practices, challenges, and future opportunities in the field, bringing together experts and colleagues from around the globe.

Attendance is free of charge, and participants working for a public cord blood bank that lists units internationally through the WMDA Search & Match Service, or transplant physicians with access to the WMDA Search and Match Service are eligible to apply for a travel grant. Send your grant application to: cordbloodsteeringcommittee@wmda.info. Please indicate your name, age, the organisation you work for, country of residence, your role within the organisation and a short motivation why you want to attend.

Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and exchange knowledge with the international cord blood community.

This is the preliminary program (current times and topics are an indication, but might still be subject to changes):

12.30 – 13.00 Welcome, introductions and review of cord blood as a transplant – Eliane Gluckman
13.00 – 14.00 Current use of cord blood – clinical indications and trials – Rob Wynn
14.00 – 14.45 Support available to transplant centres – what works – AN/NHSBT Cord Support Programme
14.45 – 15.30 Refreshments break and networking
15.30 – 16.30 Highlights from Cord Connect – Joanne Kurtzberg and other speakers tbc
16.30 – 17.30 Cord blood pipeline – trials in planning/progress, alternative clinical uses, regenerative medicineAna Belen Alvarez Palomo (tbc), Gesine Kögler, Arun Prasath, other speakers tbc

WMDA is proud to collaborate with FACT and EBMT, both offering inspiring sessions and workshops on cord blood around the same time. Plus, don’t miss the WMDA Meetings on 19–20 March.

Take advantage of this exceptional moment to combine your participation in the WMDA Cord Blood Workshop with the events organised by FACT, EBMT, and the WMDA Meetings in Madrid. Three leading organisations, one vibrant city — and countless opportunities to learn, connect, and grow together. 🌍💙

The EBMT opening ceremony starts at 18:15 at IFEMA. A travel time of 45 minutes will allow you to attend the ceremony on time.