On the occasion of World Red Cross Day on May 8, Indian Red Cross Society, Mumbai city branch conducted a forum discussion to create awareness on the new vulnerabilities of emerging diseases of urbanization by creating knowledge regarding ‘Blood and Cell Therapy’.

The event started with secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Homai N Modi with an introduction to the awareness aim and the purpose behind this event - promoting the Stem Cell therapy and Cord Blood Banking. She highlighted the achievements of the Foundation.

The chief guest at this event was Julio Reberio, ex police commissioner, Mumbai and also a panel of medical experts in the likes of Dr Navin Khattry ACTREC, Dr Sunil Parekh MDR(I) and Dr Chandra Vishwanathan from Reliance Life Sciences to educate and aware about the clinical applications and creation of Voluntary Stem cells with additional information on the Cord Blood Banking and its significance.

The session was developed around the urgent need to create awareness among people about the bone marrow donation, Stem Cell Therapy and Cord Blood Banking. The two chief speakers highlighted the various vulnerabilities

Dr Navin Khattry started off in making people aware of the grass root understanding of the Stem Cell and further described the various applications associated with the process. He trusts the potential of the Stem Cells for both in research and medical benefit purposes and adds “Marrow Donor Registry is very important for future and family related health issues and can be recalled in terms of emergency for improved medication.”

Adding to the conversation Dr Sunil Parekh said, “Larger the marrow registry size, shorter the time for successful transplantation, through these sessions our endeavour will be to encourage and make people aware of the benefits of this medical development.”

In terms of enlightening awareness on the Cord Blood Banking and its Significance it was Dr Chandra Vishwanathan on the board that talked about the Genesis of the embryonic Cells and confirms that continuous research is on for further biological developments. Animal models are being used on the cells in the clinical trial for research. She adds, “Collecting Cord Blood and later planting it for the medication is a long process and things needs to be taken care at every given stage of the process” and “It is like a biological insurance to the future of the family.”