Next Biosciences recently handed over a cheque for R79 824.29 to Choc, at their premises in Houghton.
This was done as part of the Netcells CSI 2016 programme. It was a donation made by Netcells gynaecologists who donated their procedural fees to make the generous donation to Choc.
Read A CHOC celebration
Netcells gynaecologists do not take the money they are paid for cutting babies umbilical cords for stem cell banking, instead, they donate it back to Netcells to be used for the CSI programme.
Netcells is Next Biosciences umbilical cord stem cell banking service, giving expectant parents the opportunity to collect their baby’s umbilical cord, blood and tissue stem cells at birth and cryogenically freeze them for potential future medical use.
“Next Biosciences has committed to supporting one family for every 100 cord blood units that are privately banked and as there were only five case referrals last year, the donated gynae procedural fees from last year were not required to assist additional cases for the programme. Instead, these fees were donated to Choc, as our goals are closely aligned to theirs: Keeping more than hope alive,” commented Catherine Holmes Netcells managing director.
Dr Michelle Mason, Netcells medical director said that due to the generosity of the gynaes who donated their procedural fees to charity in 2016, Next Biosciences was able to make the donation to Choc. This money will be used to contribute to the well-being of children with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders as well as their families. “We are hoping that our CSI case referrals increase this year so that we can commit to assisting more families.”
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At the end of 2015, Netcells launched its ‘Families of Hope’ CSI Programme. The programme is a new sibling cord blood donor programme giving potential future hope to disadvantaged families with children suffering from a disease treatable with stem cell transplants.
“We are very pleased and excited to receive this donation as we completely rely on companies and individual donors for funding to provide holistic care support for children with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders, as well as their families,” said Zelda Jacobs communications manager for Choc.
She added,”The funds would be spread across our programmes nationwide. We are truly grateful to Next Biosciences and the gynaecologists for their continued generous support.”
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