<b><i>Background: </i></b>Over the last 2 decades, cord blood (CB) has become an important source of blood stem cells. Clinical experience has shown that CB is a viable source for blood stem cells in the field of unrelated hematopoietic blood stem cell transplantation. <b><i>Methods: </i></b>Studies of CB units (CBUs) stored and ordered from the US (National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and Swiss (Swiss Blood Stem Cells (SBSC)) CB registries were conducted to assess whether these CBUs met the needs of transplantation patients, as evidenced by units being selected for transplantation. These data were compared to international banking and selection data (Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide (BMDW), World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA)). Further analysis was conducted on whether current CB banking practices were economically viable given the units being selected from the registries for transplant. It should be mentioned that our analysis focused on usage, deliberately omitting any information about clinical outcomes of CB transplantation. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A disproportionate number of units with high total nucleated cell (TNC) counts are selected, compared to the distribution of units by TNC available. Therefore, the decision to use a low threshold for banking purposes cannot be supported by economic analysis and may limit the economic viability of future public CB banking. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> We suggest significantly raising the TNC level used to determine a bankable unit. A level of 125 × 10⁷ TNCs, maybe even 150 × 10⁷ TNCs, might be a viable banking threshold. This would improve the return on inventory investments while meeting transplantation needs based on current selection criteria.

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare individual characteristics associated with blood donation in the German and Swiss population between 1994 and 2010. Methods: Population-based survey data from the Eurobarometer 1994 and 2009, the Swiss Health Survey 1997, and the Swiss Blood Donation Survey 2010 were used to compare age-adjusted percentages of German and Swiss adults ever having donated blood (n = 8,746). A multivariate logistic regression was applied to the pooled data to estimate odds ratios (OR). Results: Donor rates between 1994 and 2010 increased by 8.6% in Germany (p = 0.0045) and remained stable in Switzerland. The likelihood to report donating increased with age. Gender differences (OR = 2.85; p = 0.0000) and differences between education levels were more pronounced in Switzerland as compared to Germany (OR = 2.56; p = 0.0000 and OR = 2.73; p = 0.0010). Furthermore education differences were more marked in men in both countries (OR = 1.99; p = 0.0000 and OR = 1.68; p = 0.0140). Conclusion: The blood establishments should intensify their efforts to motivate women and lower educated people to give blood. Our data suggest that population-based surveys could be a helpful tool to describe donor rates in different countries and to guide future recruitment strategies.

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Umbilical cord blood (CB) has become, since its first successful use more than two decades ago, an increasingly important source of blood stem cells. In this light, an overview of current usage of CB in the field of unrelated hematopoietic blood stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is given. The three main sources of hematopoietic stem cells: bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), and cord blood (CB) are compared as regards their current quantitative usage in HSCT. A cost analysis of the named three hematopoietic blood stem cell (HSC) sources, taking into account various factors, is undertaken. The health economical comparison shows significant differences between CB on the one side, and BM and PBSC on the other. The consequences for the public health side and propositions for a possible health care policy, especially regarding future resource allocation towards the different choices for HSCT products, are discussed. An outlook on the possible future usage of BM, PBSC, and CB and its implications on health systems, donor registries, and CB banks is given.

Background: To obtain a better understanding of factors affecting blood and blood stem cell donation behavior in Switzerland, a series of studies has been performed. In the recent study of this series, which is described here, motivators and barriers in the field of blood and blood stem cell donation were identified. Methods: Web-based survey data from a non-random sample of the Swiss population 2012/2013 (n = 3,153) were used to describe and compare the ranking of motives and obstacles to donate blood and to enroll on the Swiss blood stem cell registry. Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Spearman's rank correlations were used to assess differences and associations between ranks and groups. Results: The prospect of saving lives and solidarity were the top two motives to donate blood or to enroll on the blood stem cell registry. The top two obstacles to enroll on the blood stem cell registry were lack of general information on blood stem cell donation and on its risks, whereas the top two obstacles to donate blood were the lack of information where and when to donate and deferral of or exclusion from blood donation. Conclusion: Classical altruistic motives are top drivers for giving blood as well as registering for blood stem cell donation. Recruitment campaigns should focus on these motivators. Similarities in motivational factors as well as in obstacles regarding blood and blood stem cell donation can be found.