Dan Berger was a prominent Pittsburgh attorney, citizen, and humanitarian who
was diagnosed with cancer. After many years of treatment and remission,
Dan received a successful stem cell transplant to cure him of both the lymphoma
and the leukemia that ensued. In July of 2006, Dan’s heart
failed. It was in the course of his treatment that Dan and his wife,
Carol, recognized the lifesaving impact of stem cells, and in particular,
umbilical cord blood, which is rich in stem cells.
The Berger family approached Magee-Womens Foundation to encourage a systematic
collection of umbilical cord blood. With much hard work and dedication, Magee
publicly unveiled The Dan Berger Cord Blood Program in October 2007.
The program is distinct because the hospital offers expectant parents three cord
blood options from which to choose – donate to a public bank or research,
or store in a private bank. Expectant parents can donate to the public bank
ITxM, or one of three contracted private banks including CorCell, ViaCord, and
Cord Blood Registry.
Cord blood stem cells have been used to treat more than 40 diseases, including
many cancers, and account for more than 8,000 transplants worldwide and offers
hope to many families, like the Berger family.
