This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the life-giving power of mothers and are reminded of the joyous event of giving birth, an event that is celebrated by friends and family, and an event that can give hope to many other people through the donation of umbilical cord blood.

Thousands of patients battling blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, and other life-threatening diseases treatable by a cord blood transplant depend on the generosity of mothers who choose to donate their babies’ cord blood. But more donations are needed, especially from African-American and Asian communities, as patients within these communities have the hardest time finding donor matches.

There is no cost to donate and the procedure is safe for moms and babies. Cord blood is collected immediately after birth and does not change the labor or delivery. Donated cord blood that meets the requirements can be listed on the Be The Match Registry and made available to anyone who needs a cord blood transplant.

If you’re expecting a baby in the coming months, I hope you’ll visit BeTheMatch.org/cord or contact LifeCord at 888-795-2707 or www.lifecord.org for more information. You could bring new life into the world — twice in one day.

Cheryl Carr
LifeCord Cord Blood Coordinator-Georgia, Atlanta

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