AUST. LIONS CORD BLOOD FOUNDATION

Australia’s First Master Cell Bank

Empowering Lifesaving Research Supported by the Australian Lions Cord Blood Foundation, we help protect the future of Australian families through the power of donated cord blood stem cells.

Australia’s First Master Cell Bank

600+ stem cell cord blood units have been released. Over $4M raised

Overview

Discover the journey of the Australian Lions Cord Blood Foundation, from our roots in 1996 to our current work in pioneering medical research.

The Lions Cord Blood Foundation Inc.(LCBF) started in September 1996 supporting the BMDI Cord Blood Bank and the babies and young children it serves in overcoming blood cancers (leukaemia) and other blood disorders that require a stem cell transplant. Over 600 cord blood units have been released from the Bank to treat children and adults in Australia and around the world.

Since its inception, the LCBF has provided operational support where needed for the BMDI Cord Blood Bank, a partnership between the Royal Children’s Hospital, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and Fight Cancer Foundation (formerly the Bone Marrow Donor Institute). In recent years we have expanded our interests and support for stem cell research carried out by the Bank and their research collaborations into new types of cell therapies such as heart repair, retinal repair, T-cells, immunotherapies against cancer and nerve repair.

Master Cell Bank

All of this has culminated in the establishment of Australia's first and only Master Cell Bank of clinically compliant induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), created from banked cord blood.

Premature Baby Research

In the last 3 years, the LCBF has also supported Monash University's premature baby research program, which aims to overcome many of the disabilities these babies suffer, including stroke, breathing problems and cerebral palsy.

None of this would have been possible without the support of Lions Clubs all around Australia over the intervening period. The amount donated of over $4M is equivalent to the sale of 1.5M sausages. For those who have worked at sausages sizzles, you can imagine the sweat and hard work all this means.

In the last 12 months our name has changed to meet ACNC and ATO requirements to the Australian Lions Cord Blood Foundation Ltd.

Latest News and Updates

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