Umbilical cord donations help save lives

(New York-WABC, June 25, 2007) (WABC) -- There is a new option for mothers which could help save lives.

Donating stem cells from newborns' umbilical cords can make a big difference for people with leukemia and other deadly diseases.

Seven's On Call with Dr. Jay Adlersberg.

The umbilical cord is a major source of stem cells, which don't have to be a perfect match when transplanted to restore the immune system of a cancer patient. There is no controversy over these cells, as there is with embryonic stem cells.

Sofia DiPrima is just one day old. But she's already produced something which could save a life, perhaps even her own. They're stem cells taken from her umbilical cord in a procedure. The cells can be used for transplantation to patients with cancer and genetic diseases. Sofia's mother made the decision to donate.

"They think it's important to give everyone an opportunity to have access to cord blood, as opposed to just the private companies where it's only access for your children," new mother Elizabeth DiPrima said.

Patients are not charged to donate, as they are by private companies who store stem cells. The Montefiore Medical Center got involved especially because the Bronx has a diversity of people of color, who were not well represented in stem cells donated from more homogenous regions.

"We have a diverse community and this enriches the source of stem cells for a diverse population, both racially and ethnically," Dr. Cynthia Chazotte said.

The cells go to the New York Blood Center for distribution.

Sofia's family will probably never use her stem cells. They will most likely be used by another New York family or one from around the world, who will need them for transplantation.

The blood bank collects a fee to cover their costs from a recipient of the cells when a family member is not a good match for a transplant. The Montefiore Center is the first in the Bronx and only the seventh that the New York Blood Bank has set up in the country.

"We deliver 5,000 babies at this institution," Dr. Edwin Merkatz said. "And the ability to get the cord blood from them is a unique opportunity."

New York City, with it's overwhelming diversity, perhaps provides the most unique of all. The blood center's stem cells have flow all over the world, and almost 1,700 donations have been used in this country since 1993.

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