Events
Like bone barrow, cord blood is rich in the blood-forming cells that can be used in transplants for patients with leukemia, lymphoma and many other life-threatening diseases. If it is not donated to a public cord blood bank or stored for private use, the umbilical cord is discarded. Although the Be The Match Registry has stored over 150,000 units of cord blood, many mothers-to-be are unsure of their options and don’t have all of the necessary information needed to make an informed decision on what to do with their baby’s cord blood.
The Icla da Silva Foundation is excited to announce that it is hosting a free Breakfast Series with professional guest speakers who will answer questions, and provide information about storing and donating cord blood. The free breakfasts are to create awareness of the importance of knowing the options for cord blood donation. During these informational breakfasts the differences between public and private blood storage, how and where to donate, the eligibility criteria for donation and costs will all be discussed. The Breakfast Series will be a great opportunity for women and men to learn more about cord blood donation and to also interact with other current and soon-to-be parents.
The first breakfast will take place in The Park Avenue Room at The InterContinental Hotel Barclays on Monday, February 27, 2012 from 10am 12 noon. After a hot buffet is served, Dr. Frances Verter, the Founder and Director of The Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation will begin the discussion. Dr. Verter earned her Doctorate from Princeton University and then worked as an astrophysicist for NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She became one of the country’s leading experts on umbilical cord banking after experiencing what it is like to be a mother of a cancer patient. We are honored to have Dr. Verter join us as our first guest speaker.
The Icla da Silva Foundation plans to engage individuals, hospitals, community clinics women’s groups and Latino community organizations to compile a diverse audience for the breakfast. While there is no cost, attendees must RSVP by going to www.cordblood.eventbrite.com. An optional donation can be made at the time of registration as well, which will be used to support future programs similar to this.