Success Stories

The Brady Kohn Foundation’s Achievements

The Brady Kohn Foundation, Inc. is a volunteer, tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization. The Foundations dual mission is to educate the public on the life-saving potential use of stem cells from umbilical cord blood and fund non-embryonic stem cell research.

The Brady Kohn Foundation was formed by Carolyn and Andy Kohn after the death of their son Brady, who acquired an unknown hepatitis virus which developed complications. Brady underwent a bone marrow transplant using his umbilical cord blood saved at birth. Although Brady lost his battle, all signs suggest that the cord blood transplant was working.

In its first three years of existence, The Brady Kohn Foundation has made significant strides:

• In late 2004 and 2005, The Brady Kohn Foundation initiated a FREE pilot umbilical cord blood donation program. Utilizing grassroots techniques and hundreds of volunteers, more than 100 expectant Moms donated their baby’s umbilical cord blood.

• In March 2006, The Brady Kohn Foundation formed two new partnerships with Delaware’s Christiana Care Health System and The Elie Katz Umbilical Cord Blood Program at Community Blood Services in Paramus, New Jersey.

This new partnership has resulted in Christiana Hospital becoming a public cord blood collection facility – the FIRST of its kind in Delaware and the Delmarva region. Christiana Hospital is one of the largest maternity centers in the region with more than 7,000 babies born there each year. This new partnership means that every expectant mother delivering at Christiana Hospital can potentially donate her baby’s cord blood for FREE!

• The Brady Kohn Foundation has raised $200,000 for John Wagner, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics and Scientific Director of Clinical Research of the Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Institute at the University of Minnesota. In October 2005, The Foundation presented this world renowned cord blood stem cell expert to the Delaware community during a Community Forum. Dr. Wagner amazed everyone with his stories of success and solidified the belief that The Brady Kohn Foundation’s efforts are making a difference in saving lives!

• The Brady Kohn Foundation has received national coverage from the Associated Press, E-Pregnancy Magazine, NBC 10’s “Moms on the Move” television series, as well as regional coverage through radio, cable and newspapers, including the 2005 Fall issue of Delaware Today’s Health and Fitness Magazine.

• The Brady Kohn Foundation’s hardworking volunteers implemented 8 major fundraising campaigns including: “For the Love of Brady” Children’s Fair, Evening Affair and Auction and the annual Raffle Drawing. More than $200,000 was raised from these successful events. The next “For the Love of Brady” Children’s Fair will be held on May 20, 2006 at St. Anthony’s in the Hills, Avondale. PA from 10:00 am- 6:00 pm.