By Karla Sullivan
In recognition of National Blood Donor month in January, another way to give blood is through cord blood donations. Cord blood can be used to treat more than 80 diseases according to Be The Match. Cord blood is most often used to treat leukemia and lymphoma. Where bone marrow donation involves surgery, the umbilical cord and placenta is discarded after birth so there is no procedure interruption for the prospective mother or baby other than the normal birth process.
After a baby is born, that umbilical blood can be used to save a life. It can be an alternative solution to irregular medical conditions. For example, if a bone marrow match can’t be found and the patients conditions is becoming progressively worse, cord blood could be the answer. It doesn’t have to be as closely matched to the patient as a marrow donor. Cord blood units are stored and ready to use right away.
Between your 28th-34th week of pregnancy, you should talk to your doctor. Your first step is to learn if you can be a donor.
If you cannot donate blood because of a medical condition or other issues, volunteer to make a financial contribution that can provide additional assistance to patients and families to offset transplant costs. Team Be The Match is a nationwide community committed to helping patients raise funds that can truly make a difference to the lives of thousands; an excellent decision to fulfill as a positive New Years resolution.
Manhattan Illinois resident, Nathan Piekutowski, was diagnosed last year on Christmas Day with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. After four rounds of intensive chemo therapy and numerous infections, he is currently undergoing a cord blood transplant at Loyola Hospital. Help Nathan and others that are looking for a match by joining the registry online or Click on Team Nathan for more information. This is just an example of how you can get involved.
“Every two seconds someone in America needs blood”, the American Red Cross reports. And several insurance companies have partnered in blood donation with the American Red Cross. Companies such as Humana, a partner for over 60 years, offer information on becoming a blood donor and their commitment to saving lives through blood donation. Again, free mini exams are available to evaluate any medical concerns you may have so it may be another personal necessity for your own health status. Contact your insurance professional for more information.
US Department of Human Services encourages us to help save lives through blood donation.” While many already qualify as regular blood donors, so many more can contribute. We seek more everyday heroes whose gift of blood donation can allow others to raise their quality of life.”
