Upstate Cord Blood Bank adds St. Joseph’s Hospital
Local mothers now have more options when it comes to donating cord blood. The Upstate Cord Blood Bank added St. Joseph’s Hospital to its list of collection sites on June 10.
“We are proud to continue former Senator John DeFrancisco’s vision for expanding the cord bank in Central New York, giving families a choice to donate their cord blood to help patients in need of a life-saving transplant,” says Business Manager Ann Marie Straight. “We look forward to growing the program into other upstate regions, making cord blood donation part of each mother’s birth experience.”
The Upstate Cord Blood Bank is one of two public cord blood banks in New York state – the other is located in Long Island City – and 30 around the country, according to its website. In addition to St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Upstate Cord Blood Bank receives cord blood from Upstate Community Hospital, where it is located, and Crouse Hospital.
Typically discarded after birth, the blood in the umbilical cord and placenta is rich in stem cells. It can be used to treat more than 80 diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma and other blood disorders. Cord blood is also being used in research for treatment of diseases ranging from cerebral palsy to autism.
For more information about the Upstate Cord Blood Bank, visit upstatecordbloodbank.com.
The Power to Save a Life
Visit the Family Times website to read more about cord blood donation and to see the Upstate Cord Blood Bank staff answer some commonly asked questions.
