More Concerns Arise About Shortage of Cord Blood for Minorities
Across North America, there is currently a shortage of cord blood units to be used by minorities. Miami-based cord blood bank Genecell has set out to address the shortage, as stated in a press release issued last Friday.
Jose Cirino of GeneCell International, patients in need to stem cell transplants are more likely to find a match within their own ethnic group. This is because an individual inherits their blood stem cell type from their parents. Unfortunately for minorities across the country, the population is underrepresented at cord blood banks in America.
The short supply of cord blood units in the United States and Canada affects a wide range of ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Asians, Native Americans and Hispanics. In order for there to be a sufficient supply for minority patients, individuals from these ethnic communities should be educated on the benefits of cord blood banking and donation.
GeneCell International currently has a large presence in Latin America, where it promotes the use of cord blood banking. The company plans to use the same principles in North America, encouraging expecting parents from all ethnicities to consider the option of banking and donating their children’s cord blood.