Hospital Offers Free Cord Blood Donation
Collected Stem Cells Have Life-Saving Potential
POSTED: Tuesday, June 2, 2009
UPDATED: 3:41 pm EDT June 4,
2009
A local hospital is now waiving the fee for mothers to donate cord blood, a move that has potential to help save thousands of lives.Florida Hospital has always offered mothers the chance to donate cord blood, which contains stem cells, but for a substantial fee.Diana Sanchez is expecting her second child in a few months, and she plans to donate her cord blood now that it is free."The benefits it gives to the family, and the cures that it does, it just really inspired me," Sanchez said.The simple procedure takes place immediately after birth. Doctors collect stem cells and store them to be used as treatments for dozens of life-threatening diseases, including leukemia and sickle cell anemia."It is saving thousands and thousands of lives and has over 70 treatments that are respected today," said Florida Hospital Children's Administrator Marla Silliman.Nearly 600,000 families worldwide have chosen to donate cord blood. There are also companies that allow parents to store their newborn's stem cells for future personal use, a service that can cost thousands of dollars.Visit CordUse.com for more information.
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