UW Medicine/Valley Medical Center and Puget Sound Blood Center (PSBC) have joined together in a program to collect umbilical cord blood from new mothers who have just given birth. Cord blood is an important source of stem cells that can be used in lifesaving cancer treatment and research.

At the birth center here at Valley Medical Center, we have always been dedicated to providing comprehensive, high quality healthcare for the community we serve, said Judy Roudebush, vice president of Womens and Childrens Services at Valley Medical Center, in a press release. This new partnership between Valley and PSBC will help us to continue to expand care options for our community.

Cord blood is the blood remaining in the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of a baby. Once considered a waste product that was discarded, umbilical cord blood is now known to be rich in life-saving hematopoietic stem cells the parent cells of all blood cells. About 150 milliliters of cord blood can be collected from each placenta and umbilical cord.

This program provides new moms with an opportunity to save lives at the same time they are bringing a new life into the world, remarked Donna Russell, principal at Donna Russell Consulting, LLC and Cchair of the Valley Medical Center Board of Trustees.

Cord blood collection is a painless procedure that does not interfere with the birth, or with mother-and-child bonding following delivery. There is no risk to either the mother or baby, and no cost associated with the donation. Families interested in donating cord blood at Valley Medical Center have several options for enrollment, depending on the babys due date.

We welcome this opportunity to partner with healthcare providers at Valley Medical Center to introduce a new on-site cord blood collection program, said Dr. James P. AuBuchon, president and CEO of PSBC. Cord blood is an important source for stem cell transplants that can be used to treat patients with leukemia, lymphoma and some metabolic or immune system disorders.

Families interested in donating cord blood should speak to their healthcare providers about how to make arrangements.

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New Valley Medical program collects umbilical cord blood