12-R270

2012 -- H 8130

Enacted 05/08/12

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING THREE YEARS OF SAVING LIVES THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT

OF THE RHODE ISLAND UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD BANK

Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, E Coderre, Petrarca, Malik, and Morrison

Date Introduced: May 08, 2012

     WHEREAS, In June of 2008, the Rhode Island General Assembly enacted legislation

entitled “The Umbilical Cord Blood Donation Notification Act”; and

     WHEREAS, On Mother’s Day, May 10th of 2009, a pilot program to collect umbilical

cord blood was instituted by the Rhode Island Blood Center in conjunction with Women &

Infants Hospital. The initiative became the only program of its kind in Rhode Island and the first

public cord blood program established in New England; and

     WHEREAS, Pregnant mothers-to-be are asked to consider the safe and simple procedure

of donating their umbilical cord blood after their child is delivered; and

     WHEREAS, Cord blood transplants can improve the health of a patient suffering from

one of more than 70 diseases, and because of the special nature of cord blood cells, a perfect

match to a recipient is not required, thereby offering help to those who are in the most need; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Umbilical Cord Blood program is one of only twenty-

eight programs accredited by the AABB, an international standards setting body; and

     WHEREAS, Public cord blood is made available to patients around the world through the

National Marrow Donor Program and other international networks. The goal of the program is to

provide donations for 10,000 patients by 2015; and

     WHEREAS, Cord blood transplants save lives; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby recognizes the staff of the Rhode Island Blood Center, Women &

Infants Hospital, and the Rhode Island Umbilical Cord Blood program on the third anniversary of

the establishment of Rhode Island’s public cord blood bank. We also offer sincere appreciation to

all the mothers who have donated this life-saving gift; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the Rhode Island Blood Center,

the President and CEO of Women & Infants Hospital, and the Director of the Rhode Island

Umbilical Cord Blood program.

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LC02558

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