Adult Stem Cell Initiative in New Jersey Catholic Hospitals a "Model in the State and Throughout the Country"

The first stage of a strategic healthcare initiative to encourage New Jersey's Catholic hospitals to donate umbilical cord and placenta blood to further adult stem-cell research has been accomplished.

During a March 9 press conference at The Elie Katz Umbilical Cord Blood Program facility, Archbishop John J. Myers, from the Archdiocese of Newark, and Father Joseph Kukura, president of the Princeton-based Catholic HealthCare Partnership of New Jersey (CHCPNJ), reported that that 10 Catholic hospitals have signed contracts with Community Blood Services or the Coriell Institute for Medical Research to donate umbilical cord and placenta blood for adult stem-cell research.

Archbishop Myers considers the initiative "a model in the state and throughout the country" for adult stem-cell research. Father Kukura has been invited to Rome by the Holy Father to address the calling to "provide innovative ways to preserve human life."

STATEMENT OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF NEW JERSEY ON HUMAN STEM CELL RESEARCH

This is great news and with Bishop Myers at the helm, I'm sure it will be a successful project, as he is a strong pro-life advocate. Thanks be to God!
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