July is Cord Blood Awareness Month Published July 22, 2015 By Senior Airman Sarah Hall-Kirchner 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs 7/23/2015 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- -- July is Cord Blood Awareness Month. Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after delivery of a baby. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, blood from human umbilical cords contains a small number of the adult stem cells that mature into healthy blood cells. Maj. (Dr.) Emily Ermis, 375th Medical Operations Squadron Obstetrics and Gynecology Staff Physician, said that this means these cells can replace diseased or non-functional cells in certain malignant and non-malignant diseases. These umbilical cord blood cells can be a more favorable alternative to bone marrow donation, because the matching process between a donor and recipient is easier. This decreases the risk of the recipient's body rejecting the donated cells. "Adult stem cells have been used to treat malignant diseases, like leukemia and lymphoma; non-malignant diseases, such as Severe Aplastic Anemia, sickle cell anemia and thalassemia; and congenital disorders like Severe Combined Immune Deficiency, Fanconi's anemia, and Wiskott Aldrich syndrome," said Ermis. Treatments and possible cures to new diseases are continually being added to the list of uses for stem cells, which makes cord blood a valuable resource. There are approximately 80 diseases at this time that cord blood can possibly treat. There are three ways that cord blood can be allocated, explained Ermis. Cord blood may be donated free of charge to a public cord blood bank to be used as needed. It can be banked for possible personal use, either for the donor or the donor's family, should the need arise. It should be noted that the risk of actually needing to use the donation is 1 in 2,700. Umbilical cord blood can also be directed for donation in which a family who is expecting currently has a child or other family member with a potentially transplant-treatable disease. Parents should research cord blood banking or donation during a pregnancy, and know what they wish to do with the cord blood when it is time to deliver the baby. They should also consult the health care provider who will be managing the pregnancy and delivery. "If they are unable to answer all of your questions," said Ermis, "they can provide you with quality resources in order to do your own research." Researching cord blood banks is also important because donations should be made to only reputable companies. "Bethematch.org is an excellent resource regarding cord blood donation," said Ermis. "Googling cord blood donation will supply several cord blood banks. Make sure [the bank] is accredited by regulatory agencies such as the American Association or Blood Banks or the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy." Donation of umbilical cord blood donation poses little risk to donors, and the life-saving blood can be stored frozen for years. "Scott Air Force Base is fortunate to be near one of the largest public cord blood banks: the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank at Sisters of Saint Mary, Cardinal Glennon," said Ermis. "I am a large supporter of cord blood donation. I have donated to a public bank. I believe public cord blood banks are a tremendous resources." If expectant parents do choose to privately bank their cord blood, they should be prepared for its expense. The initial cost can be around $1,300 for the first year and each subsequent year carries a cost as well. Parents should also consider that stem cells cannot be a cure-all, Ermis urged. "It is limited to certain genetic, hematologic, and malignant disorders," she said. "If the cells are used, usually it goes to a family member versus the donor. Maybe most importantly, cord blood should not be used as a 'biological insurance' against future disease since, again, of its limitations." Military members move a lot, and because of that, if parents choose to privately bank their cord blood, they should be sure to update their address with their bank each time they move. If members and their families are moving overseas, it is recommended for families to contact the cord blood bank to see what to do in those situations, said Ermis. Those who are stationed overseas and are expecting should talk with their health care professional prior to or during pregnancy about cord blood banking at their overseas location. Private cord blood banking is not allowed in certain European countries, such as Italy and France. For more information on cord blood banking, visit http://bethematch.org/support-the-cause/donate-cord-blood.