Our two boys, Tom and Jack were born at the Brisbane Mater Mothers Hospital. Prior to their births the Queensland Cord Blood Bank wrote to us and asked us if we would like to donate our boys umbilical cord blood following their birth. Without hesitation we agreed. We were so happy to be part of saving a precious life by bring into the world a precious life.
Umbilical cord blood stem cells are haematopoietic stem cells similar to those found in the bone marrow, which can be used to generate red blood cells and cells of the immune system. These cells can be used to treat patients with life-threatening diseases such as leukaemia when other treatments have not worked.
In the last decade the Queensland Cord Blood Bank has collected more than 6500 cords and assisted 110 patients across the world who have received stem cell transplants to treat life threatening diseases.
Generous support of individuals and community groups such as the Leukaemia Foundation, Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs and Ronald McDonald house helped Mater to raise the $1 million needed to create the QCBB, which opened in December 1998.
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