Since December, the Harlem Hospital has been active in counseling people, especially minorities on the advantages and benefits of donating umbilical cord blood as a rich source of cord blood stem cells so vital in treatment of cancer, leukemia, diabetes and sickle cell anemia. The P.O.L. Umbilical Cord Blood Program at its obstetrics and gynecological clinic is the first of its kind in the country, having collected 20 units of cord blood since its inception in December last. It focuses on African-American and Latin communities where the figures of cord blood stem cells lag far behind that of Caucasian donors. Cord blood stem cell storage and banking are relatively new concepts for these communities who have yet to see or experience the benefits of cord blood sourced stem cells. The hospital aims to change this through its awareness programs. Caucasians contribute 80% while African Americans contribute only 7% so it is vital to promote donations in order to help their community at present and in the future. In view of the past history African Americans are distrustful of the medical establishment and are reluctant to donate or have anything to do with such establishments. The awareness program being conducted by Preserve Our Legacy Inc, a program set up by the hospital to educate African Americans.
Cord blood stem cell banking is a relatively new concept and naturally not mainstream so African Americans are naturally reluctant to place trust in something so new. Preserve Our Legacy came into being through the efforts of Shana and Brett Melius to honor Jaden Hilton, a 3 year old African American who died of leukemia in 2007. Through this program they plan to educate African American and Latin people of the benefits of umbilical cord blood stem cell storage and cord blood stem cell banking.
One way they go about is by asking potential donor targets about members of their family who have been victims of diseases needing cord blood stem cell transplants. Then they point out that if such stem cells are available, a patient can be saved. The program points out how the procedure poses no risk to the child or the mother. The program is also responsible for “Jaden’s Law”, making it mandatory for doctors to inform patients of their options to donate and this is now made into a Law by the New Jersey governor, Chris Christie. Such laws are under active consideration in New York and other states and this should be the beginning of a new era.
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