Help give a sick child a second chance at life

National Coin for a Cord Day: Friday, 9 May 2008

The members of Inner Wheel Australia, an international women's organisation, have committed themselves to raising funds and presenting grants to medical researchers in the field of umbilical cord blood research. The umbilical cord is the lifeline between the mother and the baby during pregnancy. Cord blood is the blood left behind in the placenta and umbilical cord, which until a few years ago was generally discarded – thrown out in the trash. Research has shown that cord blood is rich in blood forming stem cells. It is the miracle of recycling, giving life today and saving life tomorrow. Members have already raised over $1,106,000 and presented 19 grants to researchers in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.

Grants have been given to assist research into new methods of blood collecting, transporting and processing which has helped to maximise cord blood uses. The latest grant was presented to Dr Faiten Zaibak, a researcher working in the field of Cystic Fibrosis under the world renowned cystic fibrosis researcher, Professor Bob Williamson.

Leading researchers in the field of Cord Blood are hopeful of finding new and improved methods to assist in the treatment of children afflicted with blood disorders, including acute leukaemia. In childhood, acute leukaemia is the most common form of malignant disease, but with modern treatment, researchers are confident they can continue to extend the remission (disease free) periods for many young patients and even raise the cure rate considerably.

Cord blood has a high concentration of marrow cells which are used in transplants for children with blood disorders. Researchers are also investigating its use in the field of Juvenile Diabetes, SCIDS (boy in the bubble disease) in helping to repair a heart after a heart attack and in the field of alzheimers.

The success of our National Project has been due to the hard work of our members and the generosity of the community, but with very little government financial assistance for research, it is vital that this joint venture of Inner Wheel Australia and the community, continue to work together and support such a worthy cause.

The members of Inner Wheel Australia feel very proud to support such a worthy cause and truly believe that cord blood stem cells have the potential to cure many many sicknesses and that by helping the researchers in their work, we are helping to give a healthier future to our children.

NATIONAL COIN FOR A CORD DAY: Friday, 9 May 2008
For more information visit: www.innerwheelaustralia.org.au/national/coins.htm

Read more information about Inner Wheel.

Release Date: 6th May 2008

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