The Health Area of Ibiza and Formentera has once again consolidated its position as the undisputed leader in umbilical cord blood donation in the Balearic Islands in 2024. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of Can Misses Hospital and the involvement of altruistic mothers, 60 donations have been recorded so far this year, a historic figure that represents 89.5% of all donations in the islands.
A program of success and commitment
The coordination of the program, led by Dr. Pilar García León, has been key in the promotion of this initiative, which saves lives through transplants. Since 2019, the team of midwives and healthcare staff at Can Misses has worked tirelessly to promote this altruistic gesture. Dr. García León stressed that the collection of umbilical cord blood is a completely safe procedure for mother and baby, following WHO recommendations: “It is a simple process, without risks, which is performed after the late clamping of the cord”. For her part, Tina Sagardoy, supervisor of the delivery room, stressed the importance of mothers’ generosity: “Each donation is an act of altruism that can save lives. It is exciting to see how year after year we lead this program and surpass our numbers.”
Figures that speak for themselves
In 2024, Can Misses has reached 60 donations, surpassing last year’s figures by 17.6%. This achievement not only reaffirms the hospital’s leadership in the region, but also reflects the program’s impact on public health. In comparison, other hospitals in the Balearic Islands, such as Son Llàtzer and Son Espases, have recorded much lower numbers, with only three donations each. The technical director of the Blood and Tissue Bank of the Balearic Islands, Dr. Javier Calvo, acknowledged the quality and quantity of donations at Can Misses: “The commitment and involvement of the team at this hospital are fundamental to achieving these extraordinary results”.
A gesture that saves lives
The usefulness of umbilical cord blood lies in its ability to generate blood stem cells, essential in the treatment of diseases such as leukemias and congenital bone marrow pathologies. A recent example of the impact of this program is the case of Laura Moya, who in 2017 donated her baby’s umbilical cord blood at Can Misses. That same donation will soon be used in a bone marrow transplant, demonstrating how a small gesture can make a big difference.
The future of the program in the Balearic Islands
The success of the Balearic umbilical cord blood donation program, initiated in 2004 under the name of the Concordia Program, continues to grow thanks to the collaboration between hospitals in the Balearic Islands and the Barcelona Cord Blood Bank. This joint effort guarantees that each unit collected is available for transplants in compatible patients all over the world.
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