Posted on: 1:16 pm, January 28, 2014, by Ashley Kringen and KFOR-TV, updated on: 05:37pm, January 28, 2014

Oklahoma City, Okla.-Families at the OU Med Center have the opportunity to help save lives by donating umbilical cord blood, to be used as a source of life for people battling leukemia and other blood disorders.

There are only 24 cord blood centers worldwide and this is the first in Oklahoma.

Dr. James Smith with the Oklahoma Blood Institute said, Were really hoping to be able to meet a very special need.

Each year thousands of people are diagnosed with blood cancers or other blood diseases.

For some, the only hope of a cure is a marrow transplant.

Umbilical cord blood can be used as an alternative to supply those needs.

The goal for Oklahomas Cord Blood Center is to focus on the minority population.

Dr. Smith said Vastly underrepresented in terms of having cord blood or even stem cell donations that are available for transplants.

Mothers would have the option of donating their babys umbilical cord, rather than just throwing it away.

Excerpt from:
Medical breakthrough Cord Blood Center opening in Oklahoma