toh

February 6, 2013 – Today, The Ottawa Hospital Blood and Marrow Transplant Program is celebrating the 100th Courier Mission of the Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society’s Volunteer Program.

In the past, blood and marrow transplant (BMT) centres were responsible for the transport of products from collection centres. At The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) this function was assumed by the coordinator. As the number of unrelated transplants increased, this was no longer a viable option. So in November 2007, The Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society (BDBMS) was approached to see if they would be willing to consider training members as couriers. They agreed!

The BDBMS is a national charity associated with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Established in 1988, the society’s mandate is to educate the public on the need for bone marrow donors; raise funds to support the work of OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network of the Canadian Blood Services; and support bone marrow patients (stem cell) and their families.

The TOH BMT coordinator and OneMatch developed a formal training program based on the World Marrow Donor Association, the National Marrow Donor Program, and the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy standards.

Today, when a courier is needed, the BMT coordinator contacts BDBMS with their needs. BDBMS then identifies a primary and back-up courier. The BMT coordinator provides logistical support and finalizes travel arrangements. Prior to the scheduled departure, the coordinator meets with the courier to review paperwork and travel arrangements, and provides the transport container and packing materials.

“The Ottawa Hospital’s partnership with the Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society has relieved much of the pressure on TOH’s Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, especially the Coordinator who had to travel frequently,” said Dr. Christopher Bredeson, MD, FRCPC, MSc., Medical Director, Malignant Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation. “This success of this new model has allowed us to focus on providing our patients with the high-quality care they deserve.”

Media Contact:
Hazel Harding
Communications Advisor
Email: hharding@toh.on.ca
Tel.: 613-737-8460