HLA Typing for Bone Marrow Transplantation

In 1986, Congress appropriated funds to begin development of the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. Today, 22 years later, the National Marrow Donor Program NMDP, as the contractor for the Registry, has built a racially diverse donor registry of over 7 million donors facilitated more than 30,500 hematopoietic stem cell transplants developed comprehensive research programs to improve post-transplant outcomes and established a network of transplant centers TCs capable of treating casualties resulting from military or terrorist actions, as well as patients suffering from leukemia, aplastic anemia and other life-threatening diseases. Navy funding has supported scientific research and technologic advancements that are key to ensuring an effective response during a marrow toxic exposure event. During this funding period, projects were completed to expand critical components of a contingency response program, including the Radiation Injury Treatment NetworkSM RITN. Several physician training sessions and educational seminars were organized to help ensure that optimal care plans were designed and implemented. The RITN Steering Committee worked to develop treatment guidelines, standard operating procedures and education programs that are accessible on-line. The connectivity and capability of the RITN network to respond was tested during two federal exercises in June and October 2007. Other mission-critical network components including testing laboratories, donor centers DCs and cord blood banks CBBs also participated in drills.