A response to: Prelate Encourages Umbilical Cord Blood Donations
I totally agree that parents should think of banking their newborns cord blood. I am a pediatric oncology nurse and cord blood is a wonderful means for a patient who may need a bone marrow transplant.
The major deterrent is cost. It can cost $1,000 to $2,000 dollars initially and a yearly maintenance cost of at least $100.
Many families just cannot afford this kind of money. It would be wonderful if some day everyone could bank the cord blood free of charge. It could help so many people.
Helen Mullen
