Health news and facts compiled by the Meriden Public Library July 2016
Health Beat
B one marrow transplants
can treat and even cure
some
types of
genetic
disorders and
blood
diseases.
But not all
patients are
able to find a
matching
donor among
their relatives.
In those
cases, searching for an
unrelated, matched donor can be
a long, stressful, and possibly
unsuccessful process —
especially for ethnic and racial
minorities.
Blood from human umbilical
cords acquired soon after a baby
is born contains a small number
of the adult stem cells that
mature into healthy blood cells.
Umbilical cord blood
donation poses little risk to
donors, and the life-saving
blood can be stored frozen for
years (albeit for a fee if it is
stored through a private
company).
For more than 15 years, the
National Heart, Lung and Blood
Institute has supported research
into the safety and effectiveness
of transplanting
cord blood that
has been
donated by
people
unrelated to the
patients who
need it.
Studies are
ongoing in
sickle cell
disease, severe
aplastic
anemia, and myelodysplastic
syndromes, as is research to
improve the yield of blood-
forming stem cells from cord
blood.
July is National Cord Blood
Awareness Month. The institute
encourages people to learn more
about cord blood research and
the importance of participating
in clinical trials to advance
scientific knowledge and
improve the treatment of
disease.
A different way to help
someone in need is to register as
a bone marrow donor.
— National Heart, Lung and Blood
Q&A About Cord Blood
Q : Does collecting
cord blood hurt the
mother or child?
A: No, cord blood is
collected after the baby
is delivered and the
umbilical cord is cut. It
is painless for both
mother and baby.
Q: Why didn’t my doc-
tor talk to me about
cord blood options?
A: Doctors are busy
and many may not be
well-versed in the
benefits of cord blood
preservation and re-
search.
Q: Are cord blood stem
cells different than
other types of stem
cells?
A: Yes, because these
stem cells are the
youngest form, they
more easily adapt. This
sets cord blood apart
from bone marrow
stem cells.
Q: How long does the
cord blood last?
A: It is not known.
—Save the Cord
Foundation
Blood from Newborn’s Umbilical Cord Has Potential To Save Lives
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