California Cryobank, Inc. Salutes National Marrow Awareness Month Noting the Importance of Cord Blood Stem Cell Collection and Storage.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2002

California Cryobank, Inc. (CCB), a nationally respected cord blood processing and storage company, applauds the National Marrow Donor Program(R) (NMDP) for raising awareness that marrow and blood stem cell transplants, including those derived from umbilical cord blood, save lives. November is National Marrow Awareness Month and the "Celebrating Second Chances" campaign is designed to raise awareness about the need for marrow donors, to remind donors of their commitment to the program and to recognize the donors, physicians, nurses, transplant recipients and the many others dedicated to helping patients get to transplant.

Said Michael Lill, MD, Medical Director, California Cryobank, Inc., "For more than 30 years, marrow and stem cell transplants have enjoyed a proven reputation in life-saving treatments for a wide range of blood disorders, including disorders such as leukemia and aplastic anemia, as well as selected immune system deficiencies and genetic disorders. Each year, more than 30,000 children and adults are diagnosed with diseases treatable by marrow and stem cell transplants(a) and choosing to store your child's umbilical cord blood is an easy way to safeguard the future health of your child."

Cells used in blood stem cell transplants come from three main sources: the umbilical cord of newborn babies collected at birth and stored for future use, bone marrow, and peripheral (or circulating) blood - collected from adults.

"Stem cell transplantation from umbilical cord blood," explained Dr. Lill, "is a well respected and rapidly growing field of medical research and treatment with many recognized uses already successfully documented." There are more than 45 malignant and non-malignant diseases that have been treated with stem cells from umbilical cord blood, including leukemia, immune deficiencies and sickle cell. Some of the innovative research currently underway by global experts include: muscular dystrophy, stroke, neurological disorders, AIDS, certain autoimmune disorders (diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis), and muscular/cartilage diseases.

In an article posted on the NMDP web site by noted thought leader in the field of bone marrow transplantation, John E. Wagner, MD of the Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, wrote, "Transplantation of bone marrow and umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cells from HLA-identical sibling donors can successfully treat high-risk or recurrent hematological malignancies, bone marrow failure syndromes and selected hereditary immunodeficiency and metabolic disorders. A major limitation to use of hematopoietic stem cell transplant therapy, however, is the limited availability of suitable donors. About 30 percent of patients who might benefit from transplantation therapy are still unable to find a 0-1 HLA antigen disparate donor."

Said Dr. Lill, "California Cryobank concurs with Dr. Wagner regarding the limitation of stem cell transplant therapy due to a limited supply. While we are keenly aware of the myriad possibilities of umbilical cord blood as a way of safeguarding the future health of children, it is important for the public to be educated on the subject of cord blood storage and to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collect it."

Stem cells taken from cord blood form the body's immune system foundation and manufacture blood and disease-fighting immune cells and while cord blood stem cells can be used without a perfect genetic match, when used by the baby, it is always a 100 percent match. And there is a 25 percent chance it will be an exact match for one of the baby's siblings.

Another positive finding is that cord blood transplant patients appear to suffer less from acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) than patients who receive bone marrow transplants. GVHD is a very serious, and sometimes fatal, condition that occurs when the patient's new immune system -- which is made up of stem cells from the donor -- starts attacking the patient's body(a).

Concluded Dr. Lill, "California Cryobank acknowledges the importance of continued research in this area and is enthused by a study underway by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to continue exploring the many possibilities of stem cell transplants derived from cord blood -- with the ultimate goal of helping more people survive life-threatening illnesses."

(a) National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) http://www.nmdp.org

About California Cryobank, Inc. (CCB)

California Cryobank, Inc. has a rich foundation in the early adoption of reproductive tissue preservation, andrology, and cord blood banking, and has earned the distinction of being the largest reproductive tissue bank in the world. Established for more than 25 years, its reputation for quality and caring has made California Cryobank a globally respected and foremost expert in tissue storage, serving all 50 states and more than 30 countries worldwide. Spearheaded by a veteran team of physician visionaries, California Cryobank is committed to the highest standards of excellence in cord blood banking as well as client service. Adhering to the highest standards, California Cryobank takes pride in being one of the first private cord blood banks in the United States to be issued a biologics license by the State of California. Further solidifying its credibility and commitment to quality, California Cryobank holds a tissue bank license from the State of New York, is registered with the Food and Drug Administration and accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). California Cryobank is the only private cord blood processing and storage facility that is both owned and operated by its management team employing only licensed clinical laboratory scientists and medical technologists with extensive blood banking experience to oversee the processing and storage services on-site. Knowledgeable and caring staff is available round-the-clock, seven-days a week, 365 days a year, to ensure that whenever a need or question arises, California Cryobank is available to help. For more information, call 800/400-3430, or visit our web site at http://www.cryobank.com.