§ 25-40-102 — Legislative declaration

(1) The general assembly hereby finds
and determines that:

(a) The national marrow donor program reports that researchers are
studying umbilical cord blood, also known as cord blood, as a source of adult blood
stem cells that can be used to treat leukemia, lymphoma, and other life-threatening
diseases;

(b) For many patients with a life-threatening disease, a cord blood transplant
may be the best and only hope for a cure;

(c) Cord blood is desirable for use in stem cell transplants because it has a
large number of adult blood stem cells;

(d) Blood from each donated umbilical cord is frozen and made available for
transplant, and if it cannot be used for transplant, the cord blood stem cells may be
used for research;

(e) Cord blood donations are urgently needed to keep up with the demand
for transplants and research; and

(f) Many women in good health may be eligible to voluntarily donate their
children's cord blood but are unaware of its unique value or of the existence of
donation programs.

(2) Therefore, it is the intent of the general assembly to create the adult
stem cells cure fund for the purpose of advancing umbilical cord blood collection
for public blood banks and promoting awareness across the state.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2008: Entire article added, p. 2070, � 1, effective June 3.