The Singapore Cord Blood Bank (SCBB) supports access to cord blood transplantation by collecting, processing and storing donated cord blood units (CBUs), maintaining a high-quality public inventory to improve patients’ chances of finding suitable donor matches. Through collaboration with local and international transplant centres, SCBB contributes to a global stem cell donor network while supporting Singapore’s healthcare needs.  As donor compatibility is influenced by ethnicity, SCBB’s diverse cord blood inventory is especially important in supporting Singapore’s multi-ethnic population and improving access to suitable donor matches across different ethnic backgrounds.

Accreditations and Affiliations:

SCBB maintains internationally recognised standards for quality and safety through its accreditations and affiliations:

• College of American Pathologists
• NetCord-FACT
• Affiliate of the National Marrow Donor Program
• Member of the World Marrow Donor Association

These recognitions reflect SCBB’s commitment to maintaining internationally recognised standards of quality, safety and operational excellence.

Understanding Cord Blood

Cord Blood contains haematopoietic stem cells, which are specialised cells responsible for forming and replenishing the body’s blood and immune systems.

These stem cells can:

• Develop into different types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
• Replace old or damaged blood cells over time
• Support recovery of the blood and immune system following intensive treatments such as chemotherapy
• Maintain normal immune and blood-forming function throughout life

Because of these properties, cord blood can serve as a valuable source of stem cells for transplantation in selected medical conditions.

When is Stem Cell Transplant Needed?

A haematopoietic stem cell transplant may be considered when a patient’s bone marrow or blood-forming system is severely damaged or no longer functions properly.

This may occur in conditions such as:

• Blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and certain bone marrow disorders
• Inherited disorders affecting the blood or immune system
• Certain immunodeficiency conditions
• Bone Marrow damage following intensive chemotherapy or radiation therapy

In such cases, an allogeneic transplant (from a donor) may be performed. Healthy donor stem cells are infused into the patient to replace damaged blood-forming cells and help restore normal blood and immune system function.

How to Get a Transplant

The process of receiving a cord blood transplant involves close coordination between medical teams and SCBB:

1. Medical Evaluation

The patient’s doctor assesses whether a haematopoietic stem cell transplant is a suitable treatment.

2. Submission to SCBB

If appropriate, the physician provides SCBB with the patient’s medical details and HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) typing.

3. Donor Match Search

SCBB searches its public cord blood inventory to identify suitable matches and shares options with the physician.

4. Selection of Cord Blood Unit

The physician selects the best matching cord blood unit for the patient.

5. Coordination and Delivery

SCBB coordinates with the transplant hospital to safely transport the selected cord blood unit in time for the procedure.

This streamlined process ensures timely access to suitable stem cell units for patients in need.

Conditions We Treat

We Care for Patients With:

SCBB supports the treatment of patients with conditions that affect the blood, immune system, or genetic function, including conditions Treatable by Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant:

Our Services Include:

• Cord Blood Collection, Processing, and Storage
  Ensuring high-quality stem cell units are available for transplant

• Public Cord Blood Banking
  Maintaining a diverse and accessible inventory for patient matching

• Donor Matching Support
  Identifying compatible cord blood units through HLA typing

• Coordination with Transplant Centres
  Facilitating safe and timely delivery of selected units

• Global Network Participation
  Listing cord blood units on international registries to improve global access

• Support for Research and Advancements
  Contributing to medical research to improve stem cell therapies