Spain

Pompeu Fabra University

 

 

 

Umbilical Cords Save Lives

By

Elise Dubuisson, Cédric Libeert, Andrea Carolina Obaid, Anna Padró & Miriam Varela

Blood from the umbilical cord offers fresh hope for curing leukaemia and other kinds of cancer

 

Blood that can regenerate life

Actually in Spain many women evaluate the possibility to store her baby's umbilical cord in a public or private bank with then purpose to be used to treat malignant blood disorders.

The umbilical cord and the blood it contains are usually thrown away, but this blood contains elements, stem cells, that are capable of generating blood cells in suitable quantities. It can thus be used for transplants in the same way and for the same symptoms as bone marrow. Blood from the umbilical cord offers fresh hope for curing leukaemia and other kinds of cancer.

Stem cells are the body's smart cells - basic building blocks or "master cells" that can miraculously differentiate into the entire spectrum of other types of cells that form our organs, muscles, skin, bone, nerves and blood system.

When used to treat disease or injury, these master cells somehow know how to migrate to the damaged area of the body and begin repairing the tissue. It is possible to use stem cells to treat dozens of diseases and disorders - heart-related disorders, certain leukaemias, Hodgkin's Disease, and certain anaemias.

The range of illnesses that may one day be treated with stem cells includes: heart disease, stroke, cancers, spinal cord injury, diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson Disease, osteo-arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis

Collecting blood from the umbilical cord after the cord has been cut at birth does not entail any kind of risk to the mother or baby.

Transplanting the blood from the umbilical cord, like bone marrow, can help to cure children , and adults , suffering from serious, life-threatening blood disorders.

Umbilical cord blood banks are responsible for guaranteeing that the blood is properly stored and classified so it can be used in optimum condition.

Authorised transplant centres are responsible for the transplant authorisation and procedure in collaboration with the umbilical cord blood banks.

 

How to give blood from an umbilical cord in a public bank  

What do I need to do

•  Check that there is no family history of potentially transmissible diseases.

•  Rule out, by means of a blood test on the mother, the presence of potentially transmissible infectious diseases.

•  Check that the baby has not suffered from any serious illnesses during the first months of life.

•  Complete and sign the attached consent form after receiving all the required information.

What do we do?

•  Blood from the umbilical cord will be used for any patient who needs it, in accordance with medical advice and the level of compatibility and suitability of cells with requirements.

•  There will be no discrimination for reasons of race, nationality, religion or financial status.

•  The donation will be altruistic and anonymous.

•  Blood from the umbilical cord may be used for research purposes if it is not suitable for therapeutic use.

Any mother can give blood from the umbilical cord

If she is healthy and has no history of diseases that are potentially transmissible by blood.

•  If she has received the necessary information, is aware that donation could mean curing very serious diseases, especially in children, and understands that there is no risk to the mother or baby.

•  If she is willing to take this generous, altruistic step in exchange for the slight inconvenience of a few additional analyses.

You cannot give blood from the umbilical cord

•  If you have AIDS or are infected by HIV.

•  If you have hepatitis B or C or have been infected by the corresponding viruses.

•  If you have injected drugs.

•  If you have had sexual relations with someone in any of the above situations during the last 12 months.

•  If you have had sexual relations with different people in the last 12 months.

•  If you have received a transfusion in the last 12 months.

Where you can make your donation in Spain

  • Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu (Barcelona)
  • Hospital Maternoinfantil de la Vall d'Hebron (Barcelona)
  • Fundació Hospital/Asil de Granollers (Barcelona)
  • Institut Universitari Dexeus, Grupo USP (Barcelona)
  • Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII (Tarragona)
  • Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (Badalona)
  • Hospital Universitari Doctor Josep Trueta (Girona)
  • Fundació Privada Hospital de Mollet (Barcelona)
  • Centre Mèdic Teknon (Barcelona)
  • Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova (Lleida)
  • Hospital Verge de la Cinta (Tarragona)

Tissue Donation

One of the Blood and Tissue Bank's lines of activity is preserving cells and tissues from donors for clinical use. Current Spanish and European standards are followed to ensure the highest levels of quality and safety.

In Catalonia , the organisation responsible for organ and tissue donation is the Catalan Transplant Organisation (Organització Catalana de Trasplantaments - OCATT). For more information, please call +34 93 339 83 03 or visit the website: www.ocatt.net .