Cord Blood and Stem Cells

 

Cord Blood Awareness Month: Give life twice, give cord blood!

Editor’s note. This was posted on the blog of Right to Life of Michigan, NRLC’s state affiliate.
July is National Cord Blood Awareness Month
What is cord blood? Cord blood is found in a baby’s umbilical cord and is a rich source of ethical stem cells.
Why is cord blood important? A transplant of stem cells from cord blood can help someone with a life-threatening disease. There are more than 80 diseases cord blood can help treat including: leukemia, lymphoma, and anemia. Your baby has the power to save someone that has a serious illness!
Want to donate?

Go to www.miblood.org/donating-cord-blood/ and fill out the preliminary screening form.
Twelve weeks before your due date the donation kit will be mailed to your house.
Fill out the paperwork in the kit and mail the paperwork back to the Cord Blood Bank.
They will mail instructions to your doctor.
Take the collection kit with you to the hospital when it’s time for delivery.
The doctor will collect the donation and send it to the blood bank.

When should you start this process? Before or during your 28th week of pregnancy. …
Cord blood donation is easy, free, and painless. It doesn’t affect the birthing process. Rather than throwing away the umbilical cord as medical waste, donate and you could help to save someone’s life!

Source: NRLC News