St. Louis Cord Blood Bank News

Two From Breese Meet Elected Officials On Cord Blood Donations

Wed, 03 August 2011 00:00:00

Published: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 7:15 PM CDT Online: Herald Publications,Mascuta, IL

Left to right: Ann Doll-Pollard, MD,
Rep. John Shimkus, Hellen Essenpreis

Two women affiliated with St. Joseph’s in Breese—Anne Doll-Pollard, MD, with Southern Obstetric and Gynecologic Associates (SOGA), and Helen Essenpreis, director of the hospital’s Women and Infants Center—met July 13 with legislators in Washington, D.C., concerning the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).

Part of NMDP’s focus is the National Cord Blood Inventory which provides funding for collecting and storing umbilical cord blood to treat patients who need a cord blood or bone marrow transplant. Cord blood is used to treat pediatric and adult patients with more than 70 diseases including leukemia, lymphoma and various types of anemia.

NMDP staff initiated the Washington, D.C., trip, by contacting the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank—which St. Joseph’s in Breese is affiliated with—for recommendations on who would be good spokespersons.

“They definitely wanted people from Illinois because the two United States senators from our state—Richard Durbin and Mark Kirk—are on the appropriations committee and our Congressman, John Shimkus, is on the authorizing committee,” Essenpreis said.

“Shimkus was very instrumental in getting the bone marrow cord blood registry funded last year,” she said. He represents the 19th District in Illinois which stretches from Springfield to Metropolis on the Ohio River; not all hospitals in his district participate in the program.

“Kathy Mueckl at Cardinal Glennon—where the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank is based—is aware of how we’ve embraced cord blood donation and asked if we were willing to go,” Essenpreis said.

“Dr. Doll-Pollard and I were honored to represent our hospital and our area,” Essenpreis said. “The cord blood program is a good program and in line with our hospital’s mission to minister to those in need.”

While in Washington, the two met with US Rep. Shimkus and with aides of US Sens. Durbin and Kirk.

“It was nice to have an opportunity to thank Congressman Shimkus personally for his support of the National Marrow Donor Program,” Dr. Doll-Pollard said. “He was obviously very busy with budget issues facing all the members of Capitol Hill but still sat down with us to hear about the importance of this program and how it has affected many of his constituents.”

The meetings on Capitol Hill were very timely.

“Every program is being evaluated for funding,” Essenpreis said. The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank uses part of their federal funding to increase minority participation in the registry; their goal is to have 150,000 federally funded cord blood units, an increase of about two-thirds from the 48,000 currently.

About 65 percent of families delivering at St. Joseph’s in Breese donate cord blood to the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank, Essenpreis said. The hospital has participated in the program since 1996.

After the baby is born, a small amount of blood, generally between three and five ounces, is collected from the placenta and umbilical cord, Essenpreis said. The blood is collected after the umbilical cord has been cut and is non-invasive.

“Cord blood contains potentially life-saving stem cells and this procedure is a morally neutral, noncontroversial method of collection,” Essenpreis said. “If the blood is not collected, it’s discarded.”

The donation process is not disruptive and offered at no charge. If there is any concern about the safety of the mother or baby, collection is not made.

A New Baden couple was one of the families donating cord blood in 2010. They were later informed that the donation was a potential match for someone with a life-threatening plasma disorder.

“It sent chills through me – we never imagined he’d be a match,” the mother said at that time. “Saving lives at eight months old – that’s outrageous.”

The National Marrow Donor Program operates a national registry on behalf of the federal government. Known as “Be The Match,” the program serves as a single point of access to over nine million adult donors in the US and over 160,000 cord blood units.

“The larger the registry, the greater the likelihood of being able to find a match,” Essenpreis said.

For more information, contact Essenpreis at 526-5464 or hessenpreis@sjb.hshs.org. For the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank, call 1-888-453-2673 or visit www.slcbb.org.

Saint Louis University, Glennon Participate in Landmark Children’s Cancer Trial

Fri, 22 July 2011 00:00:00

July 21, 2011 Sara Savat, SLU Newslink (edited)

First-of-its-kind clinical trial may provide new hope with personalized medicine for children with cancer

Saint Louis University School of Medicine and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center are participating in a first-of-its-kind genomic-based clinical trial to treat and study pediatric cancer, specifically relapsed and refractory neuroblastoma.


	William Ferguson, M.D.

SLU and Cardinal Glennon are a part of the 11-member Neuroblastoma and Medullobloastoma Translational Research Consortium (NMTRC), housed at Van Andel Research Institute (VARI). NMTRC is a nationwide network of pediatric cancer clinical trial sites that includes the National Cancer Institute, universities and children's hospitals. Five hospitals, including Cardinal Glennon, are currently enrolling patients in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved trial.

According to William Ferguson, M.D., principal investigator and director of pediatric hematology and oncology at SLU, the goal of the study is to develop a way to tailor cancer treatments on an individual basis, similar to how doctors treat other diseases like strep throat or urinary tract infections.

"When a patient has strep throat, for example, we identify which strain of the disease the patient has before prescribing penicillin or amoxicillin,” Ferguson said. "With this study, we hope to develop a technique to use the tumor's unique genetic makeup to identify individualized treatment plans. We chose to focus on neuroblastoma tumors because there are few conventional treatments for patients who relapse. But eventually, this technique could be extended more broadly for treating other forms of cancer. This is cutting edge treatment and right now, with a few exceptions, no one is doing this to treat cancer," said Ferguson.

Neuroblastoma is a particularly deadly pediatric tumor of the peripheral nervous system, usually diagnosed in children age six and younger. Neuroblastoma accounts for 15 percent of all pediatric cancer deaths in the United States, and is a disease for which children who relapse have no curative therapies today.

Current standard treatment for neuroblastoma includes chemotherapy, surgery, bone marrow transplants, radiation and antibody therapy. Patients diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma have a less than 40 percent five-year survival rate.

Genomic-guided therapy leverages next generation sequencing and gene expression technologies to identify subtle difference in an individual tumor's genetic makeup to provide a clearer picture of the disease state, and could conceivably single out an individual protein or other molecular drug target for therapy. This analysis involves important collaborative efforts including Grand Rapids-based Intervention Insights and the Pediatric Oncology Branch at the National Cancer Institute.

"This trial may offer new hope to children facing the worst of all pediatric cancers. We hope this study will validate this new ‘right treatment for the right patient and the right time' approach as the new standard of care," Ferguson said.

Dr. Ferguson is also the Medical Director for the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank.

Gov. Jay Nixon Signs Cord Blood Bill at St. Louis Cord Blood Bank

Thu, 14 July 2011 00:00:00

A bill signing ceremony was held at the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank where Gov. Jay Nixon signed HB197 into law. This bill encourages doctors to talk to every expectant mother about cord blood. It also provides for a comprehensive presentation about cord blood donation on the Department of Health and Senior Services website.

Joining the governor for the bill signing are Cardinal Glennon President Sherlyn Hailstone, Missouri Senator Robin Wright Jones and Donna Regan, executive director of the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank.

Senate Committee Approves Bill About Information on Umbilical Cord Blood

Thu, 21 April 2011 00:00:00

COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN

Senate committee approves bill about information on umbilical cord blood

By MARTIN KRAMARA

April 19, 2011 | 6:58 p.m. CDT

JEFFERSON CITY — The Senate Health Committee approved a bill on Tuesday that would require the Missouri Health Department to share information about umbilical cord blood banking with pregnant women.

Stem cells from umbilical cord blood "can be used to treat almost 80 diseases, including different forms of leukemia, bone marrow failure syndromes and sickle cell anemia," according to the bill's sponsor, Rep. Tishaura Jones, D-St Louis City.

She told the Senate committee a personal story about donating cord blood after giving birth to a son.

"Missouri is home to one of the best cord blood banks, and I donated my son’s cord blood there," she added, referring to the St. Louis cord blood bank on the campus of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.

Jones introduced Darlene Davis from Texas who told the committee that stem cells from cord blood stored from the birth of her second child cured her first child, who suffered from sickle cell anemia.

"My son Joseph was in and out of the hospital from 8 months to 3 years old 20 times," Davis said. She narrated how devastating it was for her to hear that the disease was not curable.

A physician, however, told her she could save her second baby’s cord blood for transplant.

"The doctor informed me about this and that was the blessing," Davis said. "If that cord blood got thrown away, there’s no way my son’d be standing here today, 11 years old."

Cord blood is usually collected within 10 minutes of giving birth, after the umbilical cord has been cut. It can be used in transplants, especially among relatives. Cord blood transplants from family members have been shown to be twice as effective as transplants from non-relatives, Jones said.

Jones said that worldwide more than 600,000 women have made cord blood donations.

There are both private and public options for banking cord blood. While the private sector cost averages about $2,500, Jones said, public banking is free.

Ann Langer from Cord Blood Registry in California, the world’s largest private cord blood bank, stressed the necessity of informing future mothers about the option prior to their third trimester.

"If you have children with leukemia or sickle cell, you can get a free program, but you need to get a doctor’s letter to say they definitely have that disease, and it takes a month to do that," Langer explained.

She told the committee she believed the bill was going to save not only lives but also state funds.

"It moves the needle from costly long-term care to preventive medicine and cures," Langer said.

The legislation before the committee would encourage obstetricians to provide patients with cord blood information prior to their third trimester of pregnancy.

There was no opposition to the proposal. Although anti-abortion groups have fought against some forms of stem-cell research, they have embraced the cord-blood proposal.

Representatives from the Missouri Catholic Conference and from Campaign Life Missouri voiced support for the proposal.

The committee passed the bill by a unanimous vote, sending it to the full Senate

Saint Luke’s cord blood donation program reaches milestone

Thu, 10 March 2011 09:01:01

Program surpasses 2,000 collections mark in February

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/health/saint-lukes-cord-blood-donation-program-reaches-milestone

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 8, 2011) — Saint Luke’s cord blood donation program – the only one in the region – recently collected its 2000th cord blood unit. The program is offered to women who give birth at area Saint Luke’s hospitals and gives them the option to donate blood from their umbilical cords for use in treatments for leukemia, sickle cell anemia and dozens of other diseases and disorders. Saint Luke’s cord blood program is a partner with the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank.

Saint Luke’s Hospital, Saint Luke’s South, Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital and Saint Luke’s East-Lee’s Summit offer the only free, public cord blood donation programs in the Kansas City area. By offering this service, Saint Luke’s is helping to increase the world’s supply of cryo-preserved umbilical-cord blood units, which are rich in stem cells useful in the treatment of many conditions.

Donated cord blood is listed on registries that are searched by transplant facilities worldwide looking for matches for one of their patients. Recently, Saint Luke’s was notified that a stem cell-containing cord blood unit from Saint Luke’s was a match for clinical transplant.

“It’s extremely gratifying to know that this simple, free service is providing hope for a patient facing a life-threatening illness,” said Bill Ward, director of cellular therapy services at Saint Luke’s. “Every donation helps boost the inventory and improve the odds of benefiting someone in real need.”

Why cord blood?
During pregnancy, the placenta and blood within the umbilical cord serve as the lifeline of nourishment from mother to baby. Following the birth, these items are usually discarded. Cord blood stem cells can create all of a person’s blood cells including red cells that carry oxygen, white cells that fight disease and platelets that help blood clot.

Cord blood stem cell transplants to replace cells that are abnormal or eradicated by therapy are successfully treating children and adults with leukemia, metabolic disorders, immune deficiencies, bone marrow failure or genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease. More than 70 percent of children and adults requiring a bone marrow transplant do not have an immune matched sibling. Cord blood that has been immunologically typed and frozen offers an alternate transplant source for these people.

Because cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and the placenta that is normally discarded after the baby is born, there is no harm or risk to either the mother or the baby. As a source of adult stem cells, the use of these cells from cord blood eliminates the ethical concerns surrounding more controversial sources of stem cells.

The collection process
During pregnancy every woman will be asked whether she wants to donate her umbilical cord blood. After a patient has agreed and the baby is born, the umbilical cord is clamped, cut and separated from the baby. While waiting for the placenta to deliver, blood is collected from the placenta by needle through the umbilical cord and drained into a specially designed blood collection bag. The procedure is painless and non-invasive and does not interfere with the birthing process. If there is any concern about the safety of mother or baby, collection does not occur.

Next, the donated cord blood unit is taken to the stem cell processing laboratory based at Saint Luke’s Hospital, the only one of its kind in Kansas City, Mo. In the lab, the cord blood is tested to be sure it is free of infectious diseases or other medical concerns. It is analyzed to confirm that it contains an adequate number of blood-forming stem cells for transplant. Then the cord blood is typed and frozen in a liquid nitrogen freezer at Saint Luke’s for a brief period until it is shipped to the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank, where it is stored and listed on registries that are searched by transplant facilities worldwide that are looking for matches for one of their patients.

There is no charge to the donor for the collection, processing, shipping or storage process. For more information about cord blood donation, call 816-932-2246. For more Saint Luke’s Health System news, follow us on Twitter @saintlukesnews.

St. Louis Cord blood bank celebrates 100,000th donation, 15 years

Thu, 10 March 2011 08:01:01

"Free, quick, and painless."

Jacquelyn Weidinger and Dennis McCullough

spend time with new baby Delilah.

New mom and recent cord blood donor Jacquelyn Weidinger used these words to describe the public cord blood donation process before remembering her favorite part: “potentially life-saving.”

Looking at the numbers, it would seem as if many mothers agree. With the birth of daughter Delilah on Jan. 18, Weidinger became the 100,000th donor to the St. Louis

Cord Blood Bank at SSM Cardinal Glennon.

“I knew Delilah’s cord blood would go to a good cause. If I can help anyone, I am happy to do it,” Weidinger said.

The milestone donation came at a great time: The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank is celebrating its 15th year at an open house on March 3.

Every year, thousands of patients are diagnosed with diseases that might be treated with a stem cell transplant. Each donation to the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank increases the chances that patients needing a transplant can quickly find a match. Cord blood can be used to treat more than 70 different diseases.

Kathy Mueckl, nurse coordinator at the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank, called the program the “ultimate recycling project.”

“The whole process is really incredible,” Mueckl said. “By donating, you are taking what would normally be thrown into the trash and potentially using it to save someone’s life.”

For Weidinger, the decision to donate was easy.

“I am excited that I could help,” Weidinger said as she and McCullough finished packing to leave their hospital room at SSM St. Joseph Health Center. “It was either the trash can or the possibility of saving a life. Who wouldn’t choose life?”

8-month-old may be saving a life with his umbilical cord blood

Thu, 10 March 2011 00:00:00

St. Joseph’s Hospital, Breese, IL

November, 2010

Although Ben Schuetz is only eight months old, already he’s a hero.

Ben’s parents, Kelly and Nathan Schuetz of New Baden, made the decision to donate umbilical cord blood following his delivery Feb. 23 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese. The family has since been informed by the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank that it’s probably a match. “Saving a life at eight months old—that’s outrageous,” Kelly Schuetz said.

“It sent chills through me,” said Kelly Schuetz, a stay-at-home mom. “We’re so excited – we never imagined he’d be a match for someone.” Husband and dad Nathan is a contractor for Ameren in St. Louis.

The family became aware of the potential match when a St. Louis Cord Blood Bank representative called to inquire about Ben’s health. “They have to do that—make sure the cord blood is healthy—before making the donation,” Kelly Schuetz said. “I told them he was healthy and thriving and they told me he was a match for someone.”

The family has received few details except that the potential recipient has a life-threatening plasma disorder and it may be several weeks or months before the transplant is completed. (The family has since been informed that the donation may be shipped out immediately.)

Kelly wanted to let her obstetrician’s office know about the development—obstetrician/gynecologist Anne Doll-Pollard, MD, of Southern Obstetric and Gynecologic Associates (SOGA) handled the delivery—and posted the news on SOGA’s Facebook site.

“If I put it on their (Facebook) wall, and someone sees that, maybe it would help someone decide to donate cord blood. I really want other moms to hear this story and donate their cord blood too. It’s really incredible that you can help another family by donating,” Kelly said.

About 53 percent of families delivering at the St. Joseph-Breese Women and Infants Center donate cord blood to the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, said Helen Essenpreis, WIC director. The hospital has participated in the cord blood donation program since 1996.

The donation process is not disruptive and offered at no charge. If there is any concern about the safety of the mother or baby, collection is not made.

“It didn’t take more than 60 seconds to do the whole donation, it wasn’t in the way of anything and kind of goes along with everything. When Ben was born, my husband cut the cord, the Dr. Doll-Pollard put the baby on my stomach and she did her thing,” Kelly Schuetz said. “It didn’t disrupt anything.”

“After the baby is born, a small amount of blood, generally between three and five ounces, is collected from the placenta and umbilical cord,” Essenpreis said. The blood is collected after the umbilical cord has been cut and is non-invasive.

“Cord blood contains potentially life-saving stem cells and this procedure is a non-controversial method of collection,” Essenpreis said. “If the blood is not collected, it’s discarded.”

According to the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank, cord blood is used to treat more than 70 diseases including leukemia, lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and various types of anemia. It is used successfully for both pediatric and adult patients.

SOGA staff initially brought up the cord blood donation possibility and provided the necessary permission forms which Kelly completed while in labor. The family did not donate cord blood when they had their first child, Jack, now 3, who was born in Springfield, Mo. “Maybe there wasn’t a cord blood bank where we were before,” Kelly Schuetz said.

Dr. Doll-Pollard was pleased to be part of the process. “I’m excited that I had a small role in helping another family,” she said. “I think it’s wonderful that Kelly and the Schuetz family took the time to share their experience on our Facebook page. Even though we have a large percentage of families that chose to donate, their story may encourage even more donations.”

Kelly Schuetz hopes that is the case. “If you don’t donate or bank it yourself, it goes into medical waste. You never know if your baby is the one who may save someone’s life. You’d want someone out there to be a match for your baby,” she said.

Participating in the cord blood program also supports the hospital’s mission to minister to those in need, Essenpreis said. “We are contributing to saving people’s lives. “The cord blood collected may be used to treat a variety of diseases—it’s the ultimate recycling.”

Minority Donors Needed for Cord Blood

Mon, 03 January 2011 00:00:00

St. Louis Post-Dispatch November 18, 2010

Cord Blood Bank: St. Louis facility gets grant to expand collection, which would increase access to therapies.

By Blythe Bernhard bbernhard@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8129

http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/fitness/article_3cb9a44b-52c3-5313-b553-f6e7ddf55a6a.html

St. Louis Cord Blood Bank Wins $1.4M Grant

Mon, 03 January 2011 00:00:00

St. Louis Business Journal

Date: Monday, November 8, 2010, 11:51am CST

The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank said Monday it received a three-year, $1.4 million federal grant.

http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2010/11/08/st-louis-cord-blood-bank-wins-14m.html

Cord blood transplant saves boy, 6, from baffling ailment

Thu, 30 December 2010 00:00:00

Groundbreaking DNA sequencing solved medical mystery

Watch video: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/40749681/ns/today-today_health/

Amylynne Santiago Volker calls her 6-year-old son Nicholas “the comeback kid,” and rarely has that title been more fitting: Nic has survived a mystery illness that baffled doctors and threatened his life many times.

Doctors call Nic a medical marvel, a trailblazer who escaped near-certain death through a groundbreaking DNA sequencing and a rare cord blood transplant.

Speaking live via satellite from Madison, Wis., Santiago Volker told Matt Lauer on TODAY Monday that she remains in awe of the strength her little boy showed in enduring countless surgeries and 700 days of hospital care — 526 days in the last two years alone.

“Nic is so resilient and he always faced every day with a smile on his face,” Santiago Volker said.

While Nic hugged a teddy bear and traded high-fives with his dad, Sean Volker, on TODAY, his mother told Lauer of their family’s medical ordeal.

He was just 17 months old when his parents noticed Nic had a wound that wouldn’t heal. When the wound became an abscess, he was taken to a local hospital, where he was given antibiotics. That marked the beginning of an excruciating, four-year medical journey.

A deadly disease, but no diagnosis

While Nic was shuffled in and out of hospitals, doctors learned the boy suffered from a disease that caused pencil-prick-size holes to form on his skin. The holes traveled through to his intestines, causing his stool to leech into his system. He developed sepsis, ran a temperature of 105 degrees and also contracted E. coli from his breathing tube.

They knew he was very sick, but they didn’t know why. Doctors couldn’t figure out what was causing Nic’s problems or put a name on his illness, and thus couldn’t help him get well.

When Nic was 4, doctors removed his colon, which Santiago Volker told Lauer seemed to help initially. “He was able to walk and run around and climb for the very first time,” she said.

But Nic’s health started to fail again just weeks later, and he began another round of hospital stays. At age 4, he weighed only 17 pounds. Doctors at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin realized that they had to nail down the cause of the boy’s ailment. They asked the hospital’s researchers to sequence Nic’s 30,000 genes to see if one was mutated.

Hospital immunologist Bill Grossman told NBC News it is extremely unusual to sequence the entire genetic code of one person — his team usually works on abstract DNA research. “I was shocked [by the request],” Grossman said. “It was a big leap for what we were currently doing.”

Meanwhile, the Volkers tried to hold their family together. Santiago Volker worried that the couple’s three teenage daughters were getting short shrift while the family concentrated on Nic’s life-and-death struggle. Sean Volker worked overtime in construction to pay the medical bills insurance didn’t cover; when his work dried up, mom went back to work while dad became the primary caregiver.

DNA sequencing solves a mystery

But the family struggle and exhaustive hospital research paid off. Thanks to the gene sequencing, Nic was diagnosed with the genetic mutation XIAP, and doctors realized a cord blood transplant — which would essentially give Nic a new immune system — could be a possible cure. In July, Nic got the transplant.

“We saw an improvement in the first two weeks,” Santiago Volker told Lauer. “He was extremely active, played like a normal boy would. Lots of sword fights, and lots of floor time with his sisters and his dad and myself.”

Nic has suffered some complications and setbacks since, but he has kept his spirits up. During his long hospital stays, he donned his favorite Batman costume, complete with bat gloves that sound “kapow!” His mother told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Nic likes the musical trio the Jonas Brothers, and she had heard him sing a line from their song “A Little Bit Longer,” which goes, “A little bit longer and I’ll be fine.”

Hopefully, that will be the case for Nic. Santiago Volker told Lauer that her son’s prognosis “is extremely good. His [transplant physician] thinks he will be a long-term survivor. And that he’s possibly cured.”

Nic curled up in his dad’s arms for a nap while appearing on TODAY. But his parents clearly never tired of fighting his mystery illness. Nurses at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin told the Journal Sentinel they were amazed at how Santiago Volker dressed to the nines during daily hospital visits, never giving in to hopelessness over her son’s condition.

Likewise, Santiago Volker shooed away well-meaning relatives who told her the family needed to plan a funeral or sign a “do not resuscitate” order.

“I relied on my faith, and I had to hold on to hope,” Santiago Volker told Lauer. “[I] always tried to just persevere and get through the next step and just hope there was another miracle.”

Doctors see a bit of a miracle in Nic as well. If he continues to improve, his case may give hope to others with mystery ailments that could be identified through DNA sequencing.

The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank Thawing Method Becomes Industry Standard

Wed, 29 December 2010 00:00:00

The St Louis Cord Blood Bank was recently published in the December 2010 edition of Transfusion, the AABB’s scholarly, peer-reviewed monthly Journal. Co-authored with Donna Wall, MD, the SLCBB’s founding Director, the article summarized the program’s pilot of a dilutional method of preparing frozen umbilical cord blood products for infusion. This work was also presented at the October 2010 AABB Annual Meeting in Baltimore MD, as part of the National Marrow Donor Program and AABB Joint Session.

Since the traditional wash method was published in 1995, new techniques in cord blood manufacturing practices have developed, resulting in more concentrated products. Because this newer inventory of products has different characteristics, the SLCBB proposed that a modified preparation was more appropriate. The bank evaluated the impact of this modified method on 401 products distributed from the SLCBB to 95 transplants centers worldwide. There were no significant differences in the frequency or severity of adverse events and no serious infusion toxicities observed. In addition to demonstrating safety, the method proved to be easily standardized among transplant centers and maintained cellular integrity and potency.

Donna M. Regan, Jonathan D. Wofford, and Donna A. Wall. Comparison of cord blood thawing methods on cell recovery, potency, and infusion. TRANSFUSION 2010;50:2670-2675

The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank Receives Federal Grant

Mon, 15 November 2010 00:00:00

The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank recently received a three-year $1.4M grant from the Office of Health Resources and Services Administration within the US Department of Health and Human Services. The contract is for collection and maintenance of genetically diverse, high-quality umbilical cord blood units, especially those from minority parents. These cord blood units will be included in the National Cord Blood Inventory, where they will be available to the public for stem cell transplants.

“This contract will help us continue our very successful minority initiative to further increase donations and improve the chances for minority patients to find a genetic match,” said Donna Regan, Executive Director.

Cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born. It is rich in adult stem cells, and is used to treat over 70 different diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, and a wide variety of genetic and immune disorders.

The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank is part of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, and is one of the largest public cord blood banks in the world. It is a community-based program that serves the St. Louis region as well as eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. With more than 23,000 units in storage, it provides hope for those needing a stem cell transplant across America and around the world.

The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank Names New Laboratory Director

Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00

The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Salem Akel, PhD as its Scientific and Laboratory Director. Dr. Akel assumed his new responsibilities in March 2010.

As Laboratory Director, Dr. Akel will oversee technical policies and procedures that result in effective collection, production, storage, and release of high quality cord blood units, and ensure that these activities comply with current federal laws and applicable regulations. He will advance the scientific agenda of the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank to expand therapeutic applications for cord blood and to further innovative techniques related to umbilical cord blood biology, banking, and transplantation.

“We’re thrilled that Dr. Akel has joined our team,” said Donna Regan, executive director. “His work will enhance the understanding of the cells contained in cord blood and expand the clinical applications of this valuable resource. Dr. Akel’s experience and enthusiasm promises a great future, not only for us, but for the entire cell therapy industry.”

Dr. Akel has extensive experience with stem cell processing and research, starting with his postdoctoral fellowship at the National Cancer Institute. His research interest is the study of the biology of hematopoietic stem cells aiming at the development of cell therapy technologies for treatment of hematopoietic and degenerative diseases. His research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals.

Most recently, he served as Laboratory Director for Yafa Medical Laboratories in Amman, Jordan. Previously, he was Assistant Professor of Pathology/Hematology at Hashemite University, Jordan. He was supervisor of bone marrow transplantation and stem cell processing unit in laboratories of Al-Hussein Cancer Center, Jordan. He also worked as a scientific consultant for various biotechnology companies throughout the region that offer products used in research.

Dr. Akel currently is living in Manchester, MO, where his wife, Kefah and their five children will soon join him.

###

Established in 1995, the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank is one of the largest and most active independent public cord blood banks in the world. It has provided nearly 1,700 stem cell products to adults and children at transplant centers around the globe. The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank operates at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and is affiliated with St. Louis University School of Medicine.

Anthony Ritter Memorial Fish Fry - March 26, 2010

Mon, 22 February 2010 00:00:00

Mike and Donna Ritter will hold the 14th Annual Anthony Ritter Memorial Fish Fry on March 26, 2010, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Chester, Illinois. The event is in memory of their son Anthony, who underwent a stem cell procedure at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center. Proceeds will be donated to the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank.

SLCBB at the 23rd Annual Working Women Survival's Show

Fri, 19 February 2010 00:00:00

St. Louis 23d Annual Working Women Survival's Show
February 19, 2010 - February 21, 2010
St. Charles Convention Center

**SLCBB Booth No. TT23 (upper level)**

SLCBB will provide information on cord blood donation, and expectant moms may sign up for free e-newsletters that provide information about childcare. We will also have a raffle for a baby gift basket.

For more information on this event, visit www.wwssonline.com

Transplant of stem cells gives woman a second life

Thu, 10 September 2009 00:00:00

A transplant of cord blood stem cells saved Jessica Hahn's life. To learn more about Jessica's story, click on link below:

www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/healthfitness/story/
6B1CA1218B500BB28625762C007121E0?OpenDocument

‘The first gift’ of cord blood donation the ‘ultimate recycling project’

Fri, 07 August 2009 00:00:00

New mothers have the opportunity to give others a second chance to live by donating their umbilical cord blood. For full article click below:

http://www.stlamerican.com/articles/2009/08/14/your_health_matters/health_news/health01.txt

Anthony Ritter Memorial Fish Fry Marks 13th Year in Chester, Illinois

Fri, 10 July 2009 00:00:00

As the twelve years previously, Mike and Donna Ritter and numerous volunteers held a fish fry at the Knights of Columbus hall in Chester, Illinois, and donated the proceeds to the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank. This year, their contribution was nearly $1,700. The event is in memory of their son, Anthony, who underwent a stem cell procedure at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. We are grateful for their continued support and their desire to help us save lives.

Fox 2 News STLMoms features St. Louis Cord Blood Bank

Tue, 07 July 2009 00:00:00

Fox 2 News STLMoms interviews Dr. William Miller, Medical Director of the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank. To watch video click on link below:

http://www.stlmoms.com/

Private cord-blood banking: Doctors cast doubts on its value to parents

Mon, 22 June 2009 00:00:00

Doctors laud donations to the public system but cast doubts on the value of parents paying to privately bank it. Click on link for full article.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-cord-blood-19-jun19,0,2094780.story?page=1

The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank Names New Medical Director

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00

Contact: Drew Schumacher

314-268-2700, ext. 6142

Fax: 314-268-4197
dschumacher@slcbb.org

The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of William V. Miller, M.D. as its Medical Director. Dr. Miller assumed his new responsibilities in March 2009.

As Medical Director, Dr. Miller will oversee the activities that result in the production and availability of high quality cord blood units and cellular therapy products. He will advance the scientific agenda of the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank to expand therapeutic applications for cord blood and to further innovative techniques related to umbilical cord blood biology, banking, and transplantation. In addition, Dr. Miller will work collaboratively with professional colleagues and organizations to promote continued expansion and diversification of the donor pool as well as positively impact patient safety and therapeutic outcomes. Also, he will serve as adjunct professor in the Department of Pediatrics at St. Louis University School of Medicine.

“Dr. Miller will be a great asset to the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank. His entire career has focused on designing transfusion medicine systems,” said Donna Regan, Executive Director. “His experience and skill set will contribute to expanding our regional presence and to reinforcing our authority in the international cellular therapy community.”

Dr. Miller’s background includes executive positions with a variety of blood centers and blood services. In addition, he has held academic appointments in pathology and clinical appointments in hospital blood banks and laboratories. He previously served as president and CEO of the Blood Center of Southeastern Wisconsin, as President and CEO of BloodCare, a large blood center in Dallas, Texas, and as CEO of the Bi-State Chapter of the American Red Cross in St. Louis. Most recently, he was President of WVM Consulting and Coaching, LLC and held the position of Executive in Residence at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, in the College of Business Administration’s Center of Executive Development.

Dr. Miller is a graduate of the University of Missouri College of Arts and Science and School of Medicine. He resides with his wife, Jeanne, and youngest son, Mitchell, in Kirkwood, MO.

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Established in 1995, the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank is one of the largest and most active independent public cord blood banks in the world. It has provided more than 1500 stem cell products to adults and children at transplant centers around the globe. The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank operates at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and is affiliated with St. Louis University School of Medicine.

Dr. Ferguson to Hold Costas Chair at SLU

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/deb-petersons-breaking-schmooze/uncategorized/2009/04/dr-william-ferguson-to-hold-costas-chair-at-slu/

FOX 4 Story Inspires Life-Saving Cord Blood Bank

Fri, 20 February 2009 00:00:00

http://www.fox4kc.com/lifestyle/health/wdaf-cord-blood-bank-metro-story,0,547769.story

Cord Blood Bank Expands Reach to Kansas City

Tue, 18 November 2008 00:00:00

Two Local Women Receive National Award for Cord Blood Awareness Efforts

Tue, 28 October 2008 00:00:00

Mollie Forsch and Ellen Port, both of St. Louis, received the Lifeline Award from the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) on Oct. 13 at the annual First Gift _sm Golf Tournament held at the Meadowbrook Country Club. The women were recognized for their innovative efforts in increasing cord blood donations, for the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank.

Forsch and Port, along with Melissa Fallon and Chris Zuckerman, were original members of The First Gift committee which was founded to support the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank, an innovative program at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. The program allows expectant parents to donate their babies’ cord blood to help patients worldwide who need bone marrow transplants. The committee’s goal was to create community awareness of the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank, as well as encourage participation. Through the efforts of The First Gift committee, more than 75,000 families have donated their newborn babies’ cord blood to the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank.

“Without the dedication and continued support of these incredibly dynamic and generous women, the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank would likely not have survived the early years of building its inventory and credibility,” said Donna Regan, executive director, St. Louis Cord Blood Bank. “Their ongoing support allows the program to continue its mission of saving lives.”

Since the beginning, Forsch and Port have championed The First Gift Golf Event helping to raise nearly $1 million to support the bank’s activities. This was the 13^th year for this annual event.

“The NMDP relies on its network of participating public cord blood banks, like the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank, to help expand the number and diversity of available cord blood units,” said Kathy Welte, director of the NMDP’s Center for Cord Blood. “Mollie Forsch, Ellen Port, and The First Gift Golf Tournament have helped increase the likelihood that all patients will find a match. This is a really important partnership.”

The NMDP Lifeline Award is presented to an individual or group that demonstrates support of programs and services that specifically help increase awareness of the importance of cord blood donation and increased recruitment efforts. Winners are chosen by a select panel of NMDP leaders and representatives from across the country.

###

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.

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 NMDP. Mothers and families interested in donating cord blood should call 314-268-2787 or 888-453-2673 for more information.

The NMDP connects patients with donors of bone marrow and cord blood. It acts as a single point of access to these resources for transplant facilities across the nation and worldwide. As a result, it helps people of every racial and ethnic background live longer, healthier lives. For more information call 800-627-7692 or visit www.marrow.org.

SSM St. Joseph Hospital West Saves Lives with Cord Blood

Thu, 16 October 2008 00:00:00

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.

###

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.

Cord Blood Used For Adult Bone Marrow Transplant

Tue, 07 October 2008 00:00:00

Medical Minute Channel 4 St. Louis

October 2nd, 2008

Discussion with Dr. John Richart from St. Louis University Hospital about cord blood

http://www.kmov.com/video/?z=y&nvid=288831

NBC Today Show: Interview with cord blood donor.

Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00

Discusses cord blood banking from the private bank point of view. Suggests that it is expensive to do and complicated to ensure that you are dealing with a reputable company. Endorses cord blood donation.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24838299#24838299

AAP Encourages Public Cord Blood Banking

Thu, 17 April 2008 00:00:00

AAP ENCOURAGES PUBLIC CORD BLOOD BANKING

Below is a news release on a policy statement appearing in the January issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). To receive the full text of this report, please contact the AAP Department of Communications.

For Release: January 2, 2007, 12:01 am (ET)

CHICAGO - Cord blood stem cell banks can provide an invaluable service to those afflicted with leukemia and immune disorders. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages families to donate their newborn’s cord blood, which is normally discarded at birth, to cord blood banks (if accessible in their area) for use by other individuals in need. Storing cord blood at private banks for later personal or family use as a general “insurance policy” is discouraged.

According to the revised AAP policy statement, “Cord Blood Banking for Potential Future Transplantation,” the chances of a child needing his or her own cord blood stem cells in the future are estimated to range from one in 1,000 to one in 200,000. Private cord blood banks target parents at an emotionally vulnerable time when the reality is most conditions that might be helped by cord blood stem cells already exist in the infant’s cord blood. However, the AAP does recommend private cord blood banking for parents who have an older child with a condition that could potentially benefit from transplantation, such as a genetic immunodeficiency.

See: frequently asked questions about cord blood banking below

The policy details recommendations for private or public cord blood banks, such as obtaining written permission for obtaining cord blood prior to the beginning of labor; refraining from collecting cord blood during complicated deliveries; complying with standards set by federal and state agencies; and actively recruiting minorities to donate cord blood.

Parents who decide to donate or store an infant’s cord blood should be informed that genetic and infectious disease testing will be performed on the cord blood and that they will be notified of any abnormalities that are found. Likewise, parents should notify cord blood banks if their child develops a genetic, immunologic or malignant condition so their cord blood is not used for transplants.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cord Blood Banking

1. What is the difference between private cord blood banking and public cord blood banking?

Private cord blood banking is storing the baby's cord blood for his/her own future use or use for a family member should the need arise. Alternatively, public cord blood banking, or donating, means that the baby's cord blood is stored in a cord blood bank and is available to anyone in need of a transplant or may be used research purposes.

2. I've been approached by a self-storage program to store my child's cord blood. Isn't it better to be safe than sorry? Should I store it or donate it?

Parents should consult their physician to help them make an informed decision.

Cord blood donation should be encouraged with the cord blood is stored in a bank for public use.
Private cord blood banking should be encouraged when there is knowledge of a full sibling in the family with a medical condition (malignant or genetic) that could potentially benefit from cord blood transplantation.
If banking for future personal or family use, parents should know that most conditions that might be helped by cord blood stem cells already exist in the infant's cord blood and would not be used (ie, premalignant changes in stem cells).
Storing cord blood as "biological insurance" should be discouraged because there currently is no scientific data to support (self) autologous transplantation..

3. Where can I donate cord blood?

Contact your local hospital to determine if it is affiliated with a cord blood bank or contact any major university hospital or medical center in your state to find out if they accept cord blood donations.

4. Why isn't there a cord blood bank in my area?

There are only a few cord blood banks in the United States; therefore, donation to a local bank is not possible in many areas. Many communities do not have the technical and financial resources necessary to establish and operate a cord blood bank.

5. Does it cost anything to donate cord blood?

The public donor cord blood banks pay for the collection procedure and storing of the baby's cord blood, so there is no cost to the family for donating the baby's cord blood. However, there are significant fees associated with private storage of cord blood often including both the collection and the storage.

6. Are there any risks to donating cord blood?

No, because the cord blood is collected after the baby is born and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, it does not affect the baby or the birth experience. Cord blood collection should not be performed in complicated deliveries. The cord blood stem cell-collection program should not alter routine practice for the timing of umbilical cord clamping.

7. What will happen to my child's cord blood if I donate it?

If a family decides to donate a baby's cord blood and there is a cord blood bank in the area, the mother will need to obtain a collection kit that may include a family medical history questionnaire, a consent form, and the collection materials. The informed consent must be signed prior to the onset of active labor and before the cord blood collection. The consent must contain information pertaining to what tests are to be performed on the cord blood and how the parents will be informed should the test results be abnormal. Once a baby's cord blood is collected, it is typed, screened for infectious diseases and for hereditary hematologic diseases. If the donation is large enough and meets all of the required standards, it will be cryogenically stored for potential transplantation if a match is found or it might be used for quality improvement and research.

8. How does donated cord blood help others?

It can help treat diseases such as malignancies, bone marrow failure, hemoglobinopathies, immunodeficiencies, and/or inborn errors of metabolism.

9. How long can cord blood be stored before it expires?

Research is ongoing about the storage life of cord blood units.

10. How soon should I notify the cord blood bank in my area that I want to donate?

The cord blood bank should be notified approximately 4-6 weeks before the due date or about week 34 of pregnancy.

11. If it turns out my child does need the cord blood, can I retrieve his/her's cord blood from the bank I donated to?

Cord blood banked in a public program might not be available for future private use. Most conditions that might be helped by cord blood stems cells already exist in the infant's cord blood (ie, premalignant changes in stem cells).

12. If I decide to use a private cord blood bank, is there anything specific I should look for when selecting one?·

Does the company bank for personal and family use?
Institutional Review Board-approved protocols should be in place, including annual disclosure of the financial interest and potential conflicts of interest.
Financial viability and stability of the company should be considered
Physician should disclose any potential conflict of interest.
Company should have an informed consent process in place and require the parent to sign an informed consent.

Cord blood banks should comply with national accreditation standards developed by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Federal Trade Commission, and similar state agencies

ACOG Revises Opinion on Cord Blood Banking

Thu, 17 April 2008 00:00:00

ACOG NEWS RELEASE

For Release:	February 1, 2008
Contact:	ACOG Office of Communications
	(202) 484-3321
	communications@acog.org

ACOG Revises Opinion on Cord Blood Banking

Washington, DC -- Physicians should give balanced information to their pregnant patients who are considering cord blood banking, presenting both the advantages and disadvantages of public vs. private cord blood banks, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in a revised Committee Opinion published today in the February issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. ACOG also advises physicians who recruit patients for for-profit cord blood banking to disclose their financial interests or other potential conflicts of interest to pregnant women and their families.

Blood from a newborn's umbilical cord, once considered a waste product that was routinely discarded along with the placenta, is now considered to contain potentially life-saving stem cells. Private banks were initially developed to store cord blood stem cells from newborns, for a fee, for potential future use by the same child or a family member if he/she developed disease later in life. Today, there are public banks that store, for free, stem cells that can be used by anyone needing them similar to how public blood banks work.

"Patients need to be aware that the chances are remote that the stem cells from their baby's banked cord blood will be used to treat that same child—or another family member—in the future," said Anthony R. Gregg, MD, chair of ACOG's Committee on Genetics. ACOG's Committee Opinion is a joint document produced by the Committee on Obstetric Practice and the Committee on Genetics.

Although ACOG takes no position for or against cord blood banking, it recommends that physicians disclose that there is no reliable estimate of a child's likelihood of actually using his or her own saved cord blood later. Some experts estimate this likelihood at 1 in 2,700, while others argue the rate is even lower. Physicians should also disclose to their patients that it is unknown how long cord blood can successfully be stored.

Pregnant women should be aware that stem cells from cord blood cannot currently be used to treat inborn errors of metabolism or other genetic diseases in the same individual from which they were collected because the cord blood would have the same genetic mutation. "Cord blood collected from a newborn that later develops childhood leukemia cannot be used to treat that leukemia for much the same reason," said Dr. Gregg.

Federal legislation was passed in 2005 that provides funding for continued growth of a national cord blood registry in the US. Several states have laws requiring physicians to inform patients about cord blood banking options. Physicians should consult with their state medical association for more information about their individual state laws.

Committee Opinion #399, "Umbilical Cord Blood Banking," is published in the February 2008 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Donna Regan Appointed to Federal Advisory Council on Blood Cell Transplantation

Thu, 06 March 2008 00:00:00

Donna M. Regan, MT(ASCP)SBB, Executive Director of the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank, has been appointed to serve on the Advisory Council on Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (ACBSCT) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Mike Leavitt. She is among 23 members chosen for their expertise in various areas of science and medicine involved with stem cell transplantation. “I am truly honored to work with this fine group of people to advance the understanding and application of cord blood cells for the benefit of patients everywhere” says Regan.

The ACBSCT advises Health and Human Services Secretary, Mike Leavitt and Health Resources and Services Administrator, Elizabeth Duke on broad program policy areas focusing on activities of the C. W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory (NCBI). These programs are designed to increase the number of transplants using blood stem cells from adult donors and cord blood, expand the inventory of cord blood from diverse populations, and enhance the number of cord blood units available for research.

Regan has worked with the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank since 1995, a program which has produced 17,000 high quality, stem cell products from umbilical cord blood donations. The program is registered with the Food and Drug Administration and holds accreditation by the AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks). The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank has distributed more than 1275 products for unrelated transplant.

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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.

News 4 Health: Umbilical Cord Blood

Tue, 04 March 2008 00:00:00

(KMOV) - The Catholic Church continues to be at the center of the stem cell debate.

But what many people don't realize is that the church promotes certain types of stem cell donations.

Now, Amelia is a happy little four-year-old girl but when she was just 14 months old Amelia was diagnosed with leukemia.

After months of unsuccessful chemotherapy, doctors at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital decided to try a stem cell transplant using cells that originated from donated umbilical cord blood.

Doctors use this blood because of its purity and richness in stem cells.

News 4 health team Chief Medical Consultant Ira Kodner explains, there is no controversy.

"Cord blood is adult blood it has no potential to go on to become human life," said Kodner.

"There is no ethical religious restriction on the use of cord blood," he added.

When a child is born the mother has the option of donating the child's umbilical cord blood for public use at no cost, banking it for a fee just in case the family needs it, or having the hospital throw it out.

Cardinal Glennon Hospital is home to the only public cord bank in the St. Louis area.

There are also several private banks across the nation. Some families choose to pay for storage when there's a family history of blood disorders.

For decades both hospitals and mothers saw umbilical cord blood as medical waste but to Amelia's mother, it's a donation that saved her daughter's life.

A bone marrow transplant can only happen when six out of six chromosomes match between the donor and recipient.

A cord blood transplant can take place with fewer.

Both are listed in a national registry.

Since Cardinal Glennon is a public blood bank, they ship theirs all around the world.

SLCBB Announces new web site

Fri, 28 April 2006 00:00:00

The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank is pleased to announce the launch of its newly re-designed web site at www.slcbb.org

Clay Urges Senate to Pass Cord Blood Bill

Fri, 07 October 2005 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
October 7, 2005 Contact: Ishmael-Lateef Ahmad at
(314) 367-1970

Clay Urges Senate to Pass Cord Blood Bill

Legislation Would Create National System For Bone Marrow & Cord Blood Transplants, Saint Louis University to Continue Groundbreaking Research

Washington, DC - Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri, joined with NBA Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J” Erving to urge the U.S. Senate to pass S.1317, which would authorize the creation of a national system for cord blood banking and transplantation. The House version of the bill, which Mr. Clay co-sponsored, passed earlier this year by a vote of 431 – 1.

“This bill will provide federal dollars to add 150,000 additional units of umbilical cord blood which would be available for research and transplantation. It will also establish a comprehensive national system to coordinate access to cord blood and adult bone marrow, which will allow more Americans to receive life-savings treatments,” said Clay.

Many patients are unable to find a match for treatments involving cord blood or bone marrow, because they have rare tissue traits. And this problem is especially acute among specific racial and ethnic groups. “Some minorities have less than a 50% chance of obtaining a potentially life-saving stem cell transplant,” said Mr. Erving. “Our goal is to raise that percentage to 90% by providing more federal funds to significantly increase umbilical cord blood stem cell inventories.”

The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank, which is the second largest cord blood facility in the world, is located on the Saint Louis University Campus at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. It is an international leader in pioneering treatments that involve the transplantation of cord blood stem cells and bone marrow.

Donna Regan, a spokesman for the SLCBB commented, “By increasing our inventories of cord blood, we will be able to expand the application for medical therapies and treat more conditions such as spinal cord injuries and Parkinson’s Disease.”