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Partnership brings Texas Cord Blood Bank to Houston:
Houston families now able to donate to public cord blood bank

Houston (February 9, 2009) – The Texas Cord Blood Bank (TCBB), a publicly and privately funded non-profit program established to create a public supply of umbilical cord blood, announced that a partnership between St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston has already resulted in the collection of 300 cord blood units since November 2008.

Although usually discarded after the birth of a baby, umbilical cord blood is rich in cells that make blood and can be used, like bone-marrow transplants, to treat diseases such as: lymphoma, leukemia, sickle-cell anemia, severe immune-system disorders, neurological problems and genetic defects affecting the blood-making system. 

Dr. Amy Young, Vice Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine said,  “The collaboration with the Texas Cord Blood Bank and Texas Children's Hospital will be a valuable asset to our patients and the community as it gives the opportunity to provide the option and benefits of public banking.”  The value and benefits of stem cells found in umbilical cord blood saves lives and medical researchers are exploring new uses for umbilical cord blood stems, including treatments for premature infants, cancer, cardiogenic disorders, diabetes, asthma and neurological disorders. Storing a newborn’s cord blood means that should there be a need, the baby will have a source of stem cells that is an exact match, with no risk of rejection. There is also a strong possibility that the baby’s siblings will be a match as well.

The partnership in Houston combines Texas Children’s recognized expertise and breakthrough developments with St. Luke’s dedication to enhancing community health.
The mission of both organizations mirrors the commitment of the TCBB to provide a solution for the nearly 30,000 individuals worldwide who are waiting for a stem cell transplant.

Sandy McElligott, vice president of Women Services at Texas Children’s Maternity Center, acknowledges the growing number of families interested in cord blood donation. “Over the last year, we have received numerous inquiries regarding cord blood donation,” she said. “We are thrilled to now have the ability to offer this incredible service to expanding families throughout the Houston community.

When it is fully operational, Texas Children’s Maternity Center is expected to have 5,000 births each year, which will significantly add to the number of cord blood collections and provide even more Houston-area families the opportunity to donate to the cord blood program.

“This is an important time in the Texas Cord Blood Bank’s history, as we expand opportunities throughout the state” said Norman D. Kalmin, MD, of the Texas Cord Blood Bank. “This partnership is important as we look for opportunities to grow the program. By the end of 2008, we had secured the participation of nine hospitals in less than two years, which has allowed us to already begin supplying this life-saving resource to people of all ages. It’s because of partnerships such as this that make it possible to make a difference in the health of our children and our families.”

Texas, as a whole, is a premier location for a public cord blood bank due to its rich ethnic diversity. Because genetic makeup affects the compatibility between the blood of donors and recipients, it is important to establish an ethnically diverse supply of cord blood in order to increase the likelihood of finding a suitable transfusion for all patients in need. There is no risk involved for donors of umbilical cord blood, which has been found to work at least as well as bone marrow from unrelated donors.