DCRC: Successful in its mission to cure blood disorders

The Dubai Cord Blood and Research Centre (DCRC) has succeeded in curing blood disorders in six of its stem cell transplanters from cord blood, and more awareness among parents to donate cord blood to save others' lives is needed, according to a senior official at the Centre. "Only one case was unsuccessful due to improper follow up by the patient," said Fatma Al Hashimi, Head of the Education and Development Unit at the DCRC. The six successful cases have obtained stem cells from the centre between 2006, when the centre was established in Latifa Hospital, and 2013. Five transplants were carried out on Emiratis with Thalassemia, one for Fanconi Anemia in a Jordanian patient and one for Leukemia in an Indian patient. The centre currently has 4,300 samples, the majority of which have been donated by the public, mostly Emirati women, who gave birth in government and private hospitals. "We always tell women, if your family has no history of disease, then why don't you donate?," Fatma was quoted today by the Khaleej Times daily, adding: "You never know when this might be helpful since the more varied ethnicities of people donate, the more the chances of saving a life." Stem cells processed from the collected umbilical/placenta blood are stored in special nitrogen-filled containers at minus 193 degree Celsius - a temperature chilled enough to slice your finger if proper precautions are not taken. "Since there are no transplants being done in the U.A.E. currently, we ship the samples (which can cost up to Dh3,000) to any place in the world where the transplant is being done." In 2012, since the establishment of the education department at the DCRC, more than 700 units were collected, which was almost double the number of units collected in 2011. A study carried out by the centre among pregnant Emirati women on what stops them from donating concluded that at least 90 per cent of them were not aware that such a choice existed. Another 10 per cent cited religious reasons and said their husbands did not give permissions. "More awareness campaigns need to be held, especially in schools," she said. "I also feel that doctors should learn about this while earning their degree and also explain this option to their patients during consultations," she added. The centre started a registry in 2012, the first one in the region. With a total of 1,300 samples in the registry currently, Al Hashimi hopes that the numbers will grow. "Many Arab families are in need of cord blood and the centre is sometimes unable to find a match with the same ethnic diversity. "Therefore, the DCRC encourages families to donate cord blood stem cells so that we have a strong U.A.E. public registry to help people in need. Stem cells are the future of medicine and public banking is a trend that is catching on globally, due to the several diseases stem cells can cure." Presently, more than 80 diseases can be cured with the help of stem cells and this includes leukaemia, and treatment of genetic disorders such as thalassemia.