Cord blood a key to saving lives, treating diseases

A joyous occasion for parents around the world – the birth of a baby – can bring something just as miraculous to patients. Cord blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord after a child is born is helping doctors treat more than 80 life-threatening diseases. The collection process occurs after the baby is born and poses no risks to the mother or baby.

Today is World Cord Blood Day.

There have been more than 40,000 cord blood stem cell transplants since a French doctor first used the procedure in 1988. Cord blood stem cells are currently used to treat more than 80 different life-threatening diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell anemia. Cord blood stem cells are also proving critical to new areas of regenerative medicine to potentially treat spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, autism, Type 1 diabetes, and much more.

The Arizona Public Cord Blood Program was created in 2011 to advance the collection of cord blood and increase the number of units available for transplantation. It is a publically funded program working to save lives through cord blood collection for transplant and support the discovery of new treatments and cures.

Participating hospitals include Dignity Health (St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix and Chandler Regional Medical Center), Valleywise Health and Medical Center, and Tucson Medical Center.

The nonprofit Save The Cord Foundation, based in Tucson, provides non-commercial education, information and cord blood-banking resources to expectant parents and the public for saving umbilical cord blood stem cells via public donation or private banking.

By Jessica Rigler|2021-11-15T13:08:03-07:00November 15th, 2021|Preparedness|Comments Off

About the Author: Jessica Rigler

Jessica Rigler, an Arizona native, began her public health career more than 15 years ago, serving in varied roles with local, state, federal, and international public health agencies. Jessica has been with the Arizona Department of Health Services for over 12 years, supporting evaluation activities with the state immunization program, serving as the state’s first Healthcare Associated Infections Coordinator, and leading the Bureau of Epidemiology and Disease Control. She is currently an Assistant Director overseeing the Division of Public Health Preparedness at ADHS, which spans the areas of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health Statistics, Public Health Emergency Preparedness and the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory. In recent years, Jessica has worked with the ADHS team to lead critical public health responses including opioids and COVID-19. Jessica holds Bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and human development from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master’s degree in public health from Emory University. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and certified in infection control.