DE SCR24

Expresses support for the Parents' Guide to Cord Blood Foundation's educational campaign to inform pregnant women about umbilical cord blood banking options.

Recognizes that cord blood stem cells can be frozen for medical therapies treating over 80 diseases including leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, and immune system deficiencies.

Notes that approximately 70% of patients needing blood-forming stem cell transplants lack a matching family donor and rely on public registries; minority and mixed heritage patients particularly benefit from cord blood options due to less stringent matching requirements.

Encourages the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and state health care providers to educate pregnant women on their cord blood banking options, including public donation or private banking.

Acknowledges that most cord blood donation programs require enrollment between the 28th and 34th weeks of pregnancy and that cord blood collection causes no harm or pain to mother or baby.