For the third straight year, a local physician has been recognized for his contributions to the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.
Douglas Gates, MD, OB/Gyn with New Horizons in Carbondale, was recently honored with the Golden Placenta Award.
Kathy Mueckl, RN, nurse coordinator at the blood bank, said this award is given to the physician who has collected the highest number of units in a given year.
“It is a lighthearted way to recognize physicians who have gone above and beyond,” said Mueckl. “This program is completely voluntary and there is no monetary compensation given to physicians or hospitals. Gates promotes this donation program in his office with his patients and then graciously collects the cord blood after delivery. He has collected over 900 units.”
Cord blood is considered a waste product and therefore if it is not donated, it is thrown away, Mueckl explained. “We encourage all women to choose to donate so this precious gift is not wasted.
“Umbilical cord blood is a noncontroversial source of adult stem cells and therefore is an acceptable source of stem cells for patient transplantation and research applications.”
Cord blood can be utilized as a stem cell transplant source for children and adults with leukemia, cancer, metabolic disorders, immune deficiencies, bone marrow failure or genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease. Our goal is for all women to be given the opportunity to donate their child’s cord blood.
Gates said he began actively encouraging mothers to be to consider donating their baby’s cord blood shortly after he started practicing in Carbondale in 1995.
“I sit down with every one of my pregnant patients, and those looking forward to conceiving and discuss what a wonderful opportunity cord blood donation can be in bringing the gift of health to someone else,” said Gates. “I’ve included a special stamp on the prenatal forms that prompts me to review it with them again once they reach the early part of the third trimester.
“It is always amazing how willing moms are to give of their time and effort to help others. I know it takes considerable time to fill out the forms and mail them back, but I never hear anything but enthusiasm and delight at being a part of this program.”
Gates said other physicians and staff at New Horizons also participate in the program. “Dr. Hartman, Dr. Walker, and I, as well as our staff, have made it a priority to offer this opportunity to all our prenatal patients and their families.”
Gates expressed his personal feelings about being involved in the cord blood bank program.
“One of the greatest lessons in life, and one that I constantly need reminding, is that the greatest joy and satisfaction doesn’t come from possessions or personal accomplishments, but from serving others. It’s such a simple and often proven lesson, but I so readily forget it.”
“Like my mom would say, ‘When you give and give, you get and get and get.’”
“Providing my patients this opportunity and avenue of giving and serving has shown me over and over again what a blessing it can become in their lives and mine.”
The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center started in January 1996.
Mueckl said the number of patients participating slowly increases each year, but added there is plenty of room for growth.
“The percentage of participation from hospitals varies anywhere from 2-50 percent,” said Mueckl. “We continually look for ways to increase the number of participating women.”
The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank is the second most active public cord blood donation program in the world. Mueckl said it would not be so successful without the wonderful community support it receives.
“We refer to this program as ‘The First Gift,’ which means it is the first opportunity a child has to give a gift; a gift that could potentially save another person’s life. We also say it is the ‘ultimate recycling program.’”
“I am so happy to see Dr. Gates getting some well deserved praise,” said Mueckl. “He is a huge advocate of the cord blood donation program.”
Those wishing to receive more information on the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank may visit their web site at www.slcbb.org or contact Mueckl at 1-888-453-2673.
|