Over one hundred of the 1300 umbilical cord blood units banked by SSM St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake Saint Louis, MO have been used by transplant centers around the world. St. Joseph Hospital West is the fourth hospital to reach this milestone. There are 29 hospitals participating in the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank’s community collection program.
“Cord blood donation is something that is very near and dear to our hearts,” said Judy Grannemann, RN, care team coordinator. “Our nurses are very proactive about letting patients know how to donate cord blood, and our doctors try to collect as much of the cord blood as possible following deliveries. So we are happy to know that our efforts have been able to help so many.”
“This recognition is a sign of the continuing dedication of the physicians and nurses at St. Joe’s West who educate donors about the program and collect cord blood units for the benefit of patients everywhere,” says Donna Regan, Executive Director of the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank. “Because of their efforts, 100 patients have been given another chance to live.” The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank has shipped more than 1400 units for transplant.
Three other hospitals have previously reached this landmark. Over 150 units collected from St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield and nearly 200 from St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis have been distributed for transplant. Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis is the all-time leader, accounting for a total of more than 300 units used for transplant. These milestones are significant considering the unique challenges of matching units with patients.
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Cord blood is the blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord when a baby is born. It contains adult stems cells that can be used to treat over 70 diseases including leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell anemia. The collection procedure is completely painless for mother and baby. It does not interfere with the birthing process. And, if there is any concern about the safety of mother or baby, collection does not occur.
Established in 1995, the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank is the second largest independent public cord blood bank in the world. It accepts only donations of umbilical cord blood, then processes, stores, and makes them available to patients in need of stem cell therapy. These cord blood units are listed with the National Marrow Donor Program. Mothers and families interested in donating cord blood should call 314-268-2787 or 888-453-2673 for more information.
The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank operates at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and is affiliated with the St. Louis University School of Medicine.
