ALLEN - Mothers in Collin County have a new way to protect their newborns long into their lives.
Texas Health Allen has partnered with the Texas Cord Blood Bank to become the first Collin County hospital to collect cord blood.
"We are pleased to be the first hospital in Collin County to offer this phenomenal benefit to our community," said Sheila McKinney, president of Texas Health Allen.
Umbilical cord blood is normally thrown out after a baby's birth, but it has blood-making cells that can treat cancers and immune-system disorders.
"In the event that your child requires cord-blood treatment, it's critical that it comes from a diverse source," said Carla Chila, director of Women and Infant Services at Texas Health Allen. "Collaborating with the Texas Cord Blood Bank, and its network of donor hospitals, is just the right thing to do for our patients."
Cord blood collection will be free to patients of Texas Health Allen.
