On May 8, World Red Cross Day, the Red Cross Society of India hosted a forum titled ‘Blood and Cell Therapy’ to increase awareness of stem cell therapy and  cord blood banking.

Individuals with Indian heritage are more likely to develop blood diseases like thalassemia, and it is becoming increasingly important for the country to recognize the usefulness of this method.
If a minority or mixed-race person were to need a stem cell transplant, the likelihood that they would find a donor is slim as the national registries have shortages of ethnic donors.

The event began with an introduction by Homai N. Modi, the Honourary Secretary of the Red Cross Society, who stated that the aim of the forum was to make the benefits of cord blood banking known to the general public and medical practitioners

Dr Navin Khattry of the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) also spoke. He stressed the importance of having extensive bone marrow and cord blood registries. He believes that these registries act as protection against future health issues, as stem cell samples can be recalled in emergency situations. Cord blood can be used to treat an increasing number of diseases, the importance of awareness of the treatment method more and more imperative.

“It is like a biological insurance to the future of the family," Dr. Chandra Vishwanathan added. She states that much research is being done that will expand the reach of cord blood treatment and with these developments, the need for awareness increases.

 Source: http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/201006/market32.shtml