FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFrom: Martinez, Eduardo [Eduardo.Martinez@asm.ca.gov]
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2007 4:26 PM
Subject: Press Release -- Governor Signs Legislation to Create State's First Public Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Eduardo Martinez
October 11, 2007 916-319-2044
Governor Signs Legislation to Create State’s First Public Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Program
An inspirational story on neighbor’s bout with leukemia prompts legislation resulting in California finding cures to hundreds of blood-related illnesses
Sacramento – Today, freshman Assemblymember Anthony Portantino enjoyed his biggest legislative victory to date with the Governor signing Assembly Bill (AB) 34, legislation to establish the California Public Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Program.
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“I’m ecstatic that the Governor signed this bill to give hope to thousands of patients and families with blood-related illnesses like leukemia and sickle cell anemia,” said Portantino. “Having heard firsthand from my neighbor’s son Jordy about the amazing healing potential of cord blood, I tried to donate my daughter’s cord blood and found it extremely hard to do. Even before I was elected to the Assembly, I promised myself if I was ever in a position to change the system, I would. Today, we begin fulfilling that promise.”
Blood retrieved from the umbilical cord is a rich source of stem cells. Like bone marrow, cord blood can be used to treat various genetic disorders that affect the blood and immune system, leukemia and certain cancers, and other inherited disorders. According to the National Marrow Donor Program, there are 35,000 people who could benefit from marrow or cord blood transplants each year, many of whom die as a result of being unable to find suitable matches. This problem is exacerbated for communities of color who are less likely to find bone marrow matches and suffer from diseases such as sickle cell anemia. Once fully implemented, AB 34 will collect cord blood for widespread public use, but especially in ethnically diverse parts of the state.
Of the 500,000 births in California, umbilical cord blood is collected from a mere 3% of those births.
AB 34 also addresses a fundamental barrier to cord blood usage: affordability. Commercial blood banks typically charge an initiation fee of between $1000 to $2000 and an annual maintenance fee of between $50 and $150, making cord blood banking unavailable to many Californians.
AB 34 has received widespread, strong bipartisan support throughout the legislative process. Sponsored by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, AB 34 has garnered the support of labor organizations, consumer protection groups, for- and non-profit hospitals, Planned Parenthood Affiliates, and organizations that deal directly with afflicted patients such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the National Marrow Donor Program. Minutes after being sworn into office, Assemblymember Portantino introduced AB 34 as his first official act as a state Assemblymember, giving this bill signing added significance.
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