This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8459919.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'I wanted my baby's cord blood to save' 'I wanted my baby's cord blood to save'
(3 days later)
By Jane Elliott Health reporter, BBC OnlineBy Jane Elliott Health reporter, BBC Online
Natalie wants to aid othersNatalie wants to aid others
When Natalie Salama-Levy gives birth to her second child at the end of next month she wanted to be able to donate its cord blood.When Natalie Salama-Levy gives birth to her second child at the end of next month she wanted to be able to donate its cord blood.
Unfortunately despite the fact that she is prepared to donate to help others she can not. But despite the fact that she is prepared to donate to help others, she cannot.
"I am having the baby at the Royal Free, London, which is a very large hospital. My consultant there was very supportive, but unfortunately they are not one of the hospitals that donate cord blood which is a real shame," said 37-year-old Natalie."I am having the baby at the Royal Free, London, which is a very large hospital. My consultant there was very supportive, but unfortunately they are not one of the hospitals that donate cord blood which is a real shame," said 37-year-old Natalie.
"Why would you not want to save a life from something that would be thrown away otherwise.""Why would you not want to save a life from something that would be thrown away otherwise."
Saving bloodSaving blood
Cord blood, like bone marrow, can help patients survive deadly diseases such as leukaemia.Cord blood, like bone marrow, can help patients survive deadly diseases such as leukaemia.
Natalie's husband Lionel is the chair of 'The cord blood charity.' He was inspired to become involved following the death of a close friend from leukaemia.Natalie's husband Lionel is the chair of 'The cord blood charity.' He was inspired to become involved following the death of a close friend from leukaemia.
Sadly these cells, which can save lives, are being thrown away every day Camilla JudgeSadly these cells, which can save lives, are being thrown away every day Camilla Judge
But the Anthony Nolan Trust (ANT) warns that missing out on donations like Natalie's is a big loss.But the Anthony Nolan Trust (ANT) warns that missing out on donations like Natalie's is a big loss.
They have just one storage centre from one hospital and the The NHS Cord Blood Bank collects cord blood from five hospitals across London and Hertfordshire.They have just one storage centre from one hospital and the The NHS Cord Blood Bank collects cord blood from five hospitals across London and Hertfordshire.
There are also private facilities across the UK.There are also private facilities across the UK.
But a spokesman for ANT said they wanted to see a bigger commitment from the government and that by doing so more lives could be saved.But a spokesman for ANT said they wanted to see a bigger commitment from the government and that by doing so more lives could be saved.
"There has been a 15% increase in cord blood usage in the last few years but 85% of the cord blood units used are imported by The Anthony Nolan Trust," he said."There has been a 15% increase in cord blood usage in the last few years but 85% of the cord blood units used are imported by The Anthony Nolan Trust," he said.
"We want the Government to commit to funding a national cord blood collection programme. We have many expectant mothers asking to donate the stem cells from their placenta but finding that their local maternity unit doesn't have the ability to do this. ""We want the Government to commit to funding a national cord blood collection programme. We have many expectant mothers asking to donate the stem cells from their placenta but finding that their local maternity unit doesn't have the ability to do this. "
Normally discardedNormally discarded
Cord blood, like bone marrow, can help patients survive deadly diseases such as leukaemia.Cord blood, like bone marrow, can help patients survive deadly diseases such as leukaemia.
It contains potent "stem cells", which, if placed back into the bone marrow, can start producing the right sort of cells.It contains potent "stem cells", which, if placed back into the bone marrow, can start producing the right sort of cells.
CORD BLOOD Anthony Nolan Trust says 50,000 cord bloods would meet the UK's need for transplant and research purposesNHS has collected 13,000 cords over 13 yearsOnly 279 of these have been suitable for transplantThe Trust has imported 268 cords over last 4 yearsTwo people die every day waiting for a transplant CORD BLOOD Anthony Nolan Trust says 50,000 cord bloods would meet the UK's need for transplant and research purposesNHS has collected 14,000 cords over 13 years279 of these have been used for transplantThe Trust has imported 268 cords over last 4 yearsTwo people die every day waiting for a transplant
The umbilical cord is normally thrown away after birth, so, unlike bone marrow donation, there is no discomfort or risk to the donor.The umbilical cord is normally thrown away after birth, so, unlike bone marrow donation, there is no discomfort or risk to the donor.
John Goldman, professor of haematology at Imperial College, London, said that although a tissue match from a sibling was the best possible outcome, that cord blood is a valuable resource, which is under utilised.John Goldman, professor of haematology at Imperial College, London, said that although a tissue match from a sibling was the best possible outcome, that cord blood is a valuable resource, which is under utilised.
"The source of so called stem cells that constitute bone marrow can be either a brother or sister an unrelated adult donor or the cells present in the umbilical cord or placenta of a neonate."The source of so called stem cells that constitute bone marrow can be either a brother or sister an unrelated adult donor or the cells present in the umbilical cord or placenta of a neonate.
"They have to be matched but the levels can be a little less stringent."They have to be matched but the levels can be a little less stringent.
"We should be collecting for the public sector from about 20-30 hospitals in the UK. That is a reasonable target.""We should be collecting for the public sector from about 20-30 hospitals in the UK. That is a reasonable target."
A spokesperson from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said, "We support the call by the Antony Nolan Trust for a national cord blood banking programme which will collect and store stem cells for future use. Such a system will ensure that trained technicians are present to collect the blood so that doctors and midwives can concentrate on caring for mother and baby after the birth.A spokesperson from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said, "We support the call by the Antony Nolan Trust for a national cord blood banking programme which will collect and store stem cells for future use. Such a system will ensure that trained technicians are present to collect the blood so that doctors and midwives can concentrate on caring for mother and baby after the birth.
"A national cord blood bank programme that is regulated and open to all when the need arises is a good thing. Careful planning is needed so that the appropriate infrastructures are in place to provide this service.""A national cord blood bank programme that is regulated and open to all when the need arises is a good thing. Careful planning is needed so that the appropriate infrastructures are in place to provide this service."
Expansion plansExpansion plans
A Department of Health Spokesperson said: "The Government is proud of the support it has given the NHS Cord Blood Bank in the past and we remain committed to it. It is the fourth largest in the world. The Department of Health is funding expansion of the bank further, as part of our strategy on the collection of cord blood units.A Department of Health Spokesperson said: "The Government is proud of the support it has given the NHS Cord Blood Bank in the past and we remain committed to it. It is the fourth largest in the world. The Department of Health is funding expansion of the bank further, as part of our strategy on the collection of cord blood units.
"We have agreed business plans with NHS Blood and Transplant, who manage the service, to invest nearly £10 million to increase the size of the bank to 20,000 stored units by 2013. The units are available to all NHS patients.""We have agreed business plans with NHS Blood and Transplant, who manage the service, to invest nearly £10 million to increase the size of the bank to 20,000 stored units by 2013. The units are available to all NHS patients."
Mother Camilla Judge said that when her daughter, Darcey, was born two years ago she had been happy to donate and finds it comforting that her daughter's cord blood might be being used.Mother Camilla Judge said that when her daughter, Darcey, was born two years ago she had been happy to donate and finds it comforting that her daughter's cord blood might be being used.
"I found out about cord blood donation through a passing comment in an NCT class," said the 34-year-old from London."I found out about cord blood donation through a passing comment in an NCT class," said the 34-year-old from London.
"My brother had cancer so I have already joined the bone marrow and blood donor register"My brother had cancer so I have already joined the bone marrow and blood donor register
"Sadly these cells, which can save lives are being thrown away every day.""Sadly these cells, which can save lives are being thrown away every day."