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ROMEOVILLE, IL — The Catholic Church has come out in opposition of embryonic stem cell research because an already fertilized egg is destroyed in the process, but harvesting stem cells from the umbilical cord is consistent with church teachings. Phil Karst, executive director of the Illinois Catholic Hospital Association, stands behind efforts in the Illinois General Assembly to promote the collection of umbilical cord blood as a method already proven to be effective in warding off leukemia and other blood-related diseases.

Two proposals, one in the House and the other in the Senate, aim to establish a public health campaign to promote the donation of umbilical cord blood for the purpose of stem cell research as well as for therapies already under way at hospitals across the United States. Rep. Rich Brauer, R-Springfield, the chief sponsor of HB5245 which amends the Hospital Licensing Act and the Illinois Family Case Management Act. Meanwhile, Sen. Dale Righter, R-Springfield, together with Sen. Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, have proposed the creation of a umbilical cord blood donation and outreach initiative that calls for funding though the already approved Illinois Regenerative Institute for Stem Cell Research.

Essentially, the proposals are designed to establish an awareness campaign via the Illinois Department of Public Health, hospitals, doctors and other medical professionals to promote cord collection among pregnant women. Both proposals insist that hospitals and birthing centers cooperate with collections procedures, the practice of which takes less than 15 minutes, said Alfred McQuarter, a public health spokesperson in association with the National Marrow Donor Program in Washington. A limited number of hospitals in Chicago have already established a relationship with blood banks that offer the possibility of storing umbilical cord samples. So far, samples from these banks have proven successful in as many as 80 blood-related diseases, according to McQuarter. The problem, however, is too few samples for matters of research and actual therapies, he added.

The topic of stem cell research became a hot button in last year’s presidential campaign, causing ethically and morally motivated voters to turn up their noses in opposition to the issue. However, Karst took pains to explain that the church as a whole is not against stem cell research. In fact, stem cell research that stays away from the destruction of a human being at any stage of life is viewed in a positive way by the church. The problem is that many of the faithful are not fully informed about the matter. Speaking of umbilical cord donation, he said, “It’s a wonderful way for (medical professionals) to collect stem cells for therapy.”

A handful of for profit private blood banks have begun soliciting pregnant mothers for contracts that cost $1,000 and up plus an annual storage fee to bank their child’s umbilical cord blood in case he or she encounters organ or blood problems in the future. However, representatives from the National Marrow Donor organization stress that umbilical cord blood is not like saving pre-drawn pints of blood prior to an anticipated surgery. It’s different, according to McQuarter, because numerous blood-related diseases actually respond better when the sample is not the individual’s own. More importantly, he said clinical studies have not proven the viability of cord blood samples stored longer than 10 years. Currently, storage regulations demand that cord blood samples be frozen at temperatures that dip below negative 190 degrees.

In addition, the value of umbilical cord blood is multifaceted because unlike organ donations, a designated match does not mean that the sample has to be identical to the individual in need. “The best analogy would be bone marrow with less than a 40 percent match,” he said. That means that “80 percent of (samples) could be used” to fight diseases such as leukemia and sickle cell anemia, said McQuarter.

Radogno said what attracts her to support legislation is the fact that there are no ethical quandaries connected to umbilical cord blood research. She believes the matter not only deserves attention but also financial support, especially since it is currently being used for therapy. While Brauer’s proposal lacks a financial mechanism at this point, he said he is amenable to amendments and input.

For a 33-year-old marketing executive from Chicago, Rhonda Konttke, the advancement of umbilical blood donation is a life-saving measure. At the age of 29, she was diagnosed with leukemia. Neither her brother nor sister’s bone marrow matched. Having traveled to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., doctors there agreed that an umbilical blood cord sample was her only hope. In six months time after her name was placed on the national registry, they found two matches. “It’s been 3 ½ years, and it’s still in remission,” she said.

Since then, Konttke, a member of Holy Name Cathedral Parish in Chicago, has become an outspoken advocate, promoting the banking of umbilical blood cords. So far, she’s attracted the attention of a handful of federal legislators and their staff, including an aide from Sen. Richard Durbin’s office, D-Ill.

Reflecting on her personal experience, Konttke said she couldn’t help but to cry tears of joy. Her voice breaking, she said, “It was a complete miracle. It’s a second chance at life.”