When little Evelyn was born the other day at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, she did something pretty remarkable for a baby her age. She contributed to research that may someday save lives.
Evelyn Collins was born at the Lewiston hospital on Tuesday. Prior to her birth, her parents Brad and Marie Collins of Wheatfield agreed to allow the doctor to draw blood from her umbilical cord after delivery and share it with researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
The obstetrician, Dr. Judy Wesolowski, began participating in the program in November. Thus far 37 families have allowed her to collect cord blood after delivery.
“It’s a very simple process, with no danger to the baby or the mother,” said Dr. Wesolowski who is chief of maternity. “We only do it if the mom and the baby are stable.”
Cord blood nourishes the baby during pregnancy and is rich in stem cells, Wesolowski said. Roswell Park, one of the nation’s leading cancer research institutes, utilizes blood collected from the umbilical cords of newborns in a variety of research programs. Researchers are finding that when these cells are transplanted into patients, they can help restore the immune and blood systems to fight diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and may help in spinal cord injuries.
The topic has been the subject of national debate, with some concerned about the use of stem cells from fertilized embryos which have been frozen for by parents for possible future children.
Wesolowski said the benefits of using cord blood is that there is “no ethical dilemma.” Also, cord blood is very clean, she added. “It has never been exposed to virus or bacteria.”
“I love it,” she said of her participation in the blood collection program. “It’s very simple ... and it can potentially save lives and make lives healthier.”
Evelyn’s cord blood will be used by cancer researcher Dr. Meir Wetzler at Roswell Park who has been researching the difference between normal blood cells and cancerous blood cells for about 15 years.
Wetzler said that the cord blood of babies not only provides “clean blood,” for research, but has more blood forming cells than adult blood.
“We are very happy with this collaboration,” Wetzler said. “We approached several institutes in the area and really appreciate the cooperation with Saint Mary’s.”
Evelyn’s parents had to agree to the procedure, but for them, it was an easy decision.
Shortly after her birth her father, Brad Collins, looked over his healthy little family in the hospital room. Baby Evelyn slept peacefully in a basinette while her brother Trevor, 2, raced around the hospital room and mom Marie rested with a cool cloth on her forehead.
“We figured yeah, we might as well, if we could help possibly save someone’s life or fight cancer,” he said. “We were glad to help. It was kind of a no brainer for us.”
Local News
Related Photos
ST. MARY'S: Babies contribute to stem cell research
- Local News
-
-
State senator, wife beaten at Seneca Niagara Casino
A state senator and his wife were attacked and beaten and a casino “shareholder” was arrested after one or more incidents at the Seneca Niagara Casino Friday night.
- Staff cuts, large tax increase being considered to fill N-W's $10.M deficit
-
Police searching for jewelry thief caught on tape
-
Falls cops arrest pot and heroin dealers
-
Child run over be car on Niagara Avenue
Falls Traffic Division investigators said an 11-year-old boy was struck after he darted into the street, in front of a car as it pulled away from a stop sign.
-
Gerber resigns from SPCA board; calls for adding veterinarian to staff
A Town of Niagara veterinarian and long-time member of the SPCA of Niagara Board of Directors has stepped down.
Dr. William Gerber submitted his resignation on Tuesday. It was effective immediately. -
Militello paid $50K to leave Niagara-Wheatfield
Former Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello is receiving a $50,000 from the district, according to a separation settlement agreed to on Feb. 1.
-
Joseph Davis State Park gets some green
Officials in the Town of Lewiston received approval Thursday to spend a significant portion of the community’s incoming greenway funds on the redevelopment of Joseph Davis State Park.
-
Has NYPA relicensing agreement led to a revival?
A state senator is calling for an audit of the low-cost power and cash used in the last seven years by Niagara County entities that have shared in the benefits of the 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority.
-
Autopsy unable to determine cause or time of Judith Burr’s death
An autopsy by an Erie County Medical Examiner has failed to determine either the time of death or the cause of death of Judith Burr.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
