Respect for Life
Maryland Catholic Conference has been closely monitoring Maryland's recently released plan to cover high-risk pools. Following our letter to the Maryland Health Insurance Plan on July 22, 2010, MHIP has responded with the attached letter on July 27 indicating that it will follow the federal provisions.
Also, see the statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources.
Umbilical cord blood, collected after the birth of a baby, contains life-saving cells that have been used to treat sickle cell disease, leukemia, and many other conditions. Currently, no hospital in Maryland collects umbilical cord blood for the national public cord blood inventory. But that’s about to change.
This fall, two Catholic hospitals in Baltimore will start a cord blood collection program that will enable parents to donate their baby’s umbilical cord. Stay tuned for details. Visit our page on Stem Cell Research for more information.
Before the program can begin, a collection specialist must be hired.
This individual will educate expectant mothers in the Baltimore area on the value of cord blood preservation and, ideally, recruit and register them for the program. Applicants must have experience in phlebotomy and the handling of blood products. Previous laboratory experience is a plus but not necessary. Applicants should be computer literate and enjoy working with people of all backgrounds. Applicants should also be comfortable in educating non-medical persons about the importance of cord blood preservation and in motivating them about doing so. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus. Resumes should be sent by e-mail to careers@CBSBLOOD.org or by FAX to 201-265-4021.
Click on the video at right to learn more about the thousands of pregnant women in need who are lovingly served each year by the state's 40 pregnancy resource centers. To learn more about these centers and their great work, please click here.
The Respect for Life Department considers issues affecting the inherent value and dignity of human life at all stages. It considers issues affecting pre-born human life, individuals approaching the end of their lives or incapable of making medical decisions for themselves, and individuals accused or convicted of capital crimes.
The Department works in conjunction with the Social Concerns Department on issues affecting pregnant women in need.