Stem cells in Blood Center program

Stem cells.

These words still evoke fear in many people's hearts with the accompanying images of embryos being killed so that embryonic stem cells can be harvested. Current Stem cell transplants and stem cell research as with organ donors and organ transplants during the late 1980s to 1990s, are still often shrouded in fear and misunderstanding.

Remember the movie Coma, starring Michael Douglas and Genevieve Bujold, based on a novel by Michael Crichton? It played on the fears surrounding organ transplantation. Young healthy patients suffered deliberately induced comas during routine surgeries at a prominent Boston medical center. Their bodies were then sent to a 'donor warehouse' and their organs harvested on demand for large sums of money.

As with organ donations then, cord and placental blood stem cell donations often strike fear in the hearts of the public because of misinformation, mistrust, and misunderstanding.

There are different sources and types of stem cells. There are stem cells found in bone marrow-spongy tissue in the center of bones, peripheral stem cells-found circulating in blood, embryonic stem cells-found in embryos, and cord stem cells-found in the blood supply of the umbilical cord and placenta of newborns. This article deals with cord blood stem cells.

Starting in the late 1990s, the Puget Sound Region under the direction of the Puget Sound Blood Center's Northwest Tissue Services was one of the first institutions in the world to have a Cord Blood Program. Research and development showed that cord blood stem cells, removed from the blood remaining in the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of a baby, were valuable in treating blood disorders and genetic diseases because these stem cells develop to match a patient's own blood. Prior to 1998 umbilical cords and placental tissue were treated as waste and discarded.

So why should parents consider donating stem cells from the cord and placenta of their newborn?

- Cord and placental blood stem cells save lives.

- Cord and placental blood stem cells are "na•ve" or less differentiated so their adaptability makes them ideal in the treatment of blood disorders and genetic diseases.

- Cord and placental blood stem cells can adapt to become a 'perfect match' for a recipient making them less likely to be rejected.

- Cord and placental blood stem cells offer a viable alternative to bone marrow transplants.

- Blood stem cells removed from the umbilical cord and the placenta at the time of birth pose no threat to either the mother or her newborn.

- The screening and 'banking' (storage) process for cord and placental blood cell donors is the same as for regular blood donors.

Some other facts to be aware of:

- As early as 1998 The Gates Foundation realized the importance of donor programs for minorities and provided grant money for research and development.

- Two of three potential donors meet the criteria for cord and placental blood stem cell donations.

- This year 2,109 units of cord and placental blood were collected, 6000 units were stored and more than 100 patient matches were made.

- The Cord Blood Program is accepted by most religious affiliations.

Among the advantages of salvaging cord and placental blood stem cells is that as with blood donors today, there is a need for the most diverse blood stem cell supply. Each generation is more racially mixed and with that the demand for a more racially mixed blood donor and blood stem cell population increases.

Not all hospitals in the region are part of the Puget Sound Blood Center Cord program. Locally the program is available at Swedish/First Hill and Swedish/Ballard as well as The University of Washington. There is also work in progress to expand to other hospitals in the area once enough staff is hired and infrastructures are established.

For those of who are mistrustful of the healthcare establishment be aware that the Cord Blood Program is under the direction of the not-for-profit Puget Sound Blood Center, its Research Center and Board Members. There are strict guidelines and protocols in place, and the program also comes under review by The American Association of Blood Banks and The National Marrow Donor Program. In addition there is in place a research review board at each participating hospital.

As with any new scientific advancement and technology, the public needs to become aware and educate themselves. Mothers-to-be may be made aware of the cord blood donation program through their obstetrician, birthing educators, by touring birthing centers-of-choice prior to delivery or by simply contacting the Puget Sound Blood Center nearest them.

So, instead of wasting cord and placental blood stem cells at the time of your baby's birth, donate them and help save lives. You and your newborn may be beneficiaries some day.

Maureen Kearney is a Seattle freelance writer and may be reached via bnteditor@robinsonnews.com