Frank Valeriote's Member's Statement on the need for a National Cord Blood Bank

National Cord Blood Bank

Mr. Francis Valeriote Mr. Speaker, if we knew something could save a life, would we throw it away? Probably not. Every time a baby is born and the umbilical cord is discarded, that is exactly what we are doing. We are throwing away the chance for someone to receive a life-saving transplant. Expanding the use of umbilical cord blood in Canada can have a tremendous impact in the treatment of leukemia and 70 other diseases. Fifty-two countries have already set up cord blood banks to enhance medical care and research. We have not. The need for a national cord blood bank is urgent. It would provide physicians with easy access to the tools required to save lives. Most important, it would give hope and care to sick Canadians and their families who are waiting for treatment. For every three successful transplants performed, one patient on the waiting list dies for lack of an appropriate match. We need the government to take leadership on this important issue, and we need all members of this House to support any and all initiatives designed to increase the availability of cord blood to save lives. We need a new national approach. We need action now.

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