COIN FOR A CORD
The importance of Cord Blood Research was highlighted at Norwest private Hospital last week when members of Baulkham Hills Inner Wheel held an information stall.
Cord Blood is the blood remaining in the umbilical cord and placenta after delivery of the baby and after the umbilical cord is cut.
The collection is performed without disturbing the normal delivery practice and is therefore not harmful to the mother and baby.
It is rich in blood stem cells, which are the building blocks for blood cells. Cord blood can be frozen and stored for over 20 years and is alternative source of blood stem cells to bone marrow.
Bone marrow transplantation is a curative treatment for diseases such as leukaemia, lymphoma, immune deficiency, aplastic anaemia and thalassaemia.
During the past 25 years, over 30,000 cord blood transplants have been undertaken in both children and adults. Members raised nearly $600 on the day which will go to further research into Cord Blood.
Lyn Stapley also presented a special Cord Bear to the first baby born at Norwest Private Hospital in May. This year’s recipient was baby girl Azara born on May 1 pictured with Nay and Jess Sakya and Lyn Stapley, Vice President, Inner Wheel Club of Baulkham Hills.
