First Recipient of Eliane Gluckman Award – for Cord Blood Reserach 

“Cord Blood Connect Europe” gala event brought together leading hematologists from across Europe to discuss the latest advancements in umbilical cord blood transplantation. The event, held at the prestigious Palazzo Borghese in Florence, also marked the presentation of the Eliane Gluckman Investigator Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the field of cord blood research and its application in clinical practice. This award honors the groundbreaking work of Professor Eliane Gluckman, whose pioneering efforts in cord blood transplantation have revolutionized the field

April is the month when the Annual Meeting of European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) took place in Florence. EBMT is the largest organization bringing together hematologists and stem cell transplant specialists in Europe. This year Cord Blood Association (CBA), in collaboration with the Eurocord , organized an educational session at EBMT Meeting dedicated to the use of umbilical cord blood in hematology and its role as a starting material for cell therapies. 

On top of that CBA organized gala dinner hosted by FamiCord to present the first recipient of newly established award for cord blood research and use in Europe. The award was named after Elianne Gluckman.  

More than thirty years ago, Eliane Gluckman made a groundbreaking contribution by performing the first successful umbilical cord blood transplant. At that time, it was considered an experimental therapy with the potential to revolutionize stem cell treatments. Today, nobody will doubt in using cord blood stem cells in Fanconi anemia. Nevertheless, the use of cord blood stem cells in Europe is much lower than in USA and Asia. To give a boost for cord blood development in Europe CBA established the Eliane Gluckman Award for the clinician who has been active in the field of cord blood development . The award will be presented annually, during Annual Meeting of EBMT on dedicated event called “Cord Blood Connect Europe”. The Eliane Gluckman Award represents a tribute to groundbreaking advancements in umbilical cord blood transplantation. It honors the vision and dedication of those, like Dr. Gluckman, who have revolutionized the field and continue to inspire new generations of clinicians to push the boundaries of what is possible in medicine– comments Colleen Delaney, vice president of CBA. 

The award first recipient became Professor Vanderson Rocha, a long-time collaborator of Professor Gluckman in Paris and Monaco. Laudation was given by prof. Analisa Ruggieri, President of Cellular Therapies Working Party of EBMT. Receiving the Eliane Gluckman Award is a great honor, and it brings back wonderful memories of my time working with Professor Gluckman in Paris. The experiences and lessons I learned there have shaped my approach to cord blood transplantation and continue to inspire my work today- admits professor Rocha. 

The first event in the “Cord Blood Connect Europe” took place in Florence at the prestigious Palazzo Borghese. The event was organized by CBA, hosted by the FamiCord Group, the largest umbilical cord blood bank in Europe. The event brought together hematologists from all over Europe It is crucial to emphasize that umbilical cord blood has the potential to be used in hematological indications, where it often yields better outcomes than bone marrow and haploidentical transplants. We must not forget the tremendous promise it holds in advancing treatment options for patients. Comments professor Krzysztof Kałwak, President of Pediatric Diseases Working Party of EBMT.

As the “Cord Blood Connect Europe” event concluded, it was clear that the future of cord blood transplantation holds immense promise for advancing hematological treatments. The Eliane Gluckman Investigator Award not only celebrates groundbreaking achievements but also inspires the next generation of clinicians and researchers to continue pushing the boundaries of science.