What is the Program?    

Save the Cord Foundation has given students at the University of Arizona an amazing opportunity to get involved with their community, learn and spread awareness about the life-saving qualities of umbilical cord blood stem cells. Thanks to the Foundation’s efforts students routinely meet medical professionals through an internship program and club on campus. In particular, the students learn about the Arizona Public Cord Blood program, a state-run donation program for cord blood currently available for free to parents delivering at four hospitals. 
 
There are numerous projects and events held throughout the year focused on advancing cord blood education in Arizona and beyond. Students attend meetings one to two times a month where they discuss new research that has been conducted in the cord blood community and upcoming events to attend. These events include medical conferences, speaking to various clubs and organizations on campus, and visiting schools to educate others on ​cord blood. 

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The Student's Work

Students are responsible for helping with displays/booths at medical conferences and seeking out various clubs where they can speak about cord blood on campus. In previous years, these clubs have included Alpha Epsilon Delta, a medical club, SHAC, the health advocacy club and more. In addition, students work other events including the annual Arizona Cord Blood Conference held each year in Phoenix, tabling at the Children’s Museum, tabling at the AOMA Conference, meeting potential student interns at the BIO5 Student Networking Event and much more. The interns have also enjoyed designing tee shirts for the club, running their own Instagram page, working with the University of Arizona campus to receive funding for the club, and ultimately educating the public on this important topic. 

Intern Highlights

Charis Ober

The student interns work under the guidance of Charis Ober. Charis is the Executive Director of the Save the Cord Foundation and is a global advocate for umbilical cord blood education, awareness, research, and legislation. In addition, Charis conducts off campus meeting with the help of her Director of Interns.  Charis readily welcomes input from the interns. We use these meeting to discuss together which events or projects we should do. We create a plan together with tasks assigned to each intern to make our work successful. Charis’ goal for the program is to give everyone a chance to get involved so that each of person will have an opportunity to help the community.
 
Charis gives the interns the tools and direction to educate others as well as helping them grow into more confident and strong members of society. Every meeting is full of light and positivity with ideas constantly bouncing around. Every meeting ends with each interns’ excitement to go out into the world and spread this incredible information. Charis welcomes all of the interns with open arms and is always looking for more passionate students to join the club and internship. 

Benefits of Interning 

The Save the Cord Foundation Internship Program has allowed students to become more professional, practice their public speaking skills, one on one speaking skills, become leaders in a medical community, create long lasting friendships, encounter medical professionals, and flourish as students at the University of Arizona. If you are interested in becoming a student intern, contact one of the Co-Presidents of the on campus club via this contact form:
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