Families delivering babies at The Scarborough Hospital now have the opportunity to bank umbilical cord blood, providing a match for their child should they become ill and require a stem cell transplant later in life.

“The Scarborough Hospital delivers more than 5,200 babies each year. We are now providing our families with the education to make an informed decision about the value of cord blood,” says Barbara Milana Scott, Patient Care Director of the Maternal Newborn and Child Care Program at The Scarborough Hospital. “This program supports our vision of providing the best healthcare for a global community.”

Today, cord blood is used in the treatment of over 75 life-threatening diseases, including a wide range of cancers, genetic diseases, immune system deficiencies, and blood disorders. The potential uses of umbilical cord blood are expanding rapidly to include such conditions as Type 1 diabetes and cerebral palsy.

“We are partnering with key institutions across the county. The Scarborough Hospital was identified as high on our list because of the diversity of the community,” explains Geralyn Ochab, Vice President Sales and Marketing at Insception. “Children of mixed ethnicity are under-represented in international stem cell registries, meaning it is more difficult for those children in need to find a match.”

For Christine Ross, banking her cord blood after the birth of her first child has had an incredible impact on the health of her now 14-year-old son Barrett. Against the advice of her obstetrician and a genetic counsellor – both of whom felt it was unnecessary for her to bank cord blood – Christine decided it was an investment worth making.

“We never thought we’d need it, but there was some comfort in knowing that we had it, just in case,” says Christine. “When Barrett was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of 9, I immediately started researching to see if the banked cord blood could be used in any way.”

Christine found a research study and Barrett was accepted. He was re-infused with his stem cells, and the results were extraordinary.

“Today, almost five years later, Barrett is still in what is called the ‘honeymoon stage’ of the disease. He is still able to produce insulin. We were originally told by doctors that this stage would only last a few months, at most,” says Christine. “Barrett is a normal child who loves sports and he is very active. He still requires insulin, but not to the same extent as would be expected had we not used the cord blood.”

Christine says when she decided to bank cord blood more than 14 years ago, she looked at it as a life insurance policy.

“I tell parents-to-be not to worry about the fancy stroller. It isn’t important in the grand scheme of things. But you can give your child a life insurance policy like no other by banking cord blood,” says Christine.

The Scarborough Hospital and Insception are celebrating their partnership and invite the media and members of the community to learn more about umbilical cord blood banking and to hear Christine and Barrett’s story.

WHEN:    Friday, October 29, 2010, at 12 p.m.

WHERE:  The Scarborough Hospital General campus auditorium
                3050 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto

WHO:     Christine Ross, mother who banked cord blood
                Barrett Ross, recipient of banked cord blood
                Barbara Milana Scott, Patient Care Director, TSH Maternal Newborn and Child Care
                Geralyn Ochab, VP Sales and Marketing, Insception Cord Blood Program

For more information, please contact:
Tracy Huffman
Communications Officer
The Scarborough Hospital
(416) 438-2911 ext. 6770
thuffman@tsh.to