Cells for Life is proud that our facility has received full accreditation from the AABB.

Cells for Life volunteered to participate in the stringent accreditation process to provide our clients with the extra peace of mind that comes with knowing that their children's stem cells are being cared for by one the finest laboratories and storage facilities in Canada.

In the absence of a formal Canadian accreditation program, we voluntarily elected to earn AABB accreditation. This process included a complete audit of all laboratory, administrative, human resource and quality procedures and practices.

In May 2005, the US government and the FDA imposed increased regulations to improve the standards of cord blood facilities. Likewise, the AABB has adapted its program to adhere to these new regulations.
In addition to being the most established umbilical cord blood processing and storage facility in Canada (with one owner since 1997), Cells for Life is the only cord blood facility in Ontario (and one of only two facilities in Canada) to be accredited by the AABB's rigorous standards.

Founded 57 years ago, AABB was originally known as the "American Association of Blood Banks." Today, AABB accreditation and membership has expanded to embrace transfusion medicine and cellular therapy professionals across the United States and around the world.

AABB accreditation is a voluntary assessment program rather than a mandated inspection. Facilities such as Cells for Life that choose to seek AABB accreditation have a desire for, and commitment to, continuous improvement, education, and quality.

This worldwide community of professionals and institutions promotes the highest possible standard of care for patients and donors in all aspects of blood banking. AABB-accredited organizations are recognized by their peers as leaders in their field.

From the AABB website (www.aabb.org)


ACCREDITATION

The AABB Accreditation Program strives to improve the quality and safety of collecting, processing, testing, distributing and administering blood and blood products. The Accreditation Program assesses the quality and operational systems in place within the facility. The basis for assessment includes compliance with Standards, Code of Federal Regulations and federal guidance documents. This independent assessment of a facility's operations helps the facility to prepare for other inspections and serves as a valuable tool to improve both compliance and operations. Accreditation is granted for collection, processing, testing, distribution, and administration of blood and blood components; hematopoietic progenitor cell activities; cord blood activities; perioperative activities; parentage testing activities; immunohematology reference laboratories and SBB schools.

The Cord Blood (CB) Activity includes educational programs, publication and accreditation for CB programs. The list of AABB Accredited Cord Blood (CB) Facilities specifies those cord blood banks, in the US and throughout the world, which have attained AABB accreditation (this list is updated periodically). These facilities are responsible for collecting, processing and storing umbilical cord blood stem cells that can be used for transplantation.