Cord Blood America CEO Matthew Schissler Teaches Stem Cells
Middle-schoolers learn about stem cells
DYLAN SLAGLE/STAFF PHOTO
Matthew Schissler, of Cord Blood America, takes questions from Northwest Middle School students in Taneytown during a presentation on stem-cell research Tuesday afternoon. By Karen Kemp, Times Staff Writer
TANEYTOWN — When Matthew Schissler was working at Baugher's Restaurant more than two decades ago, he could have never predicted that he would one day help form a company that preserves stem cells for treating disease.
On Tuesday, the 1989 Westminster High School graduate and CEO of Cord Blood America used his career path as an analogy to describe the science behind stem cells to seventh-graders at Northwest Middle School.
Stem cells are cells with no particular identity or function, which have the ability to develop into any of the 220 types of cells in the human body by mirroring or replicating them, Schissler said.
"Everyone in this room kind of represents a stem cell," he said, referring to the many career paths the students could one day choose.
Schissler, who lives in Santa Monica, Calif., visited Carroll County this week during a trip to his company's sales office in Philadelphia.
Northwest Middle science teacher Erin Thomas, also a 1989 WHS graduate, was planning their class's 20-year reunion when she learned what Schissler did for a living.
Her students are now learning about cells and disease prevention, so she invited him to speak to her classes about stem cells and their ability to save lives.
Cord Blood America stores cryogenically frozen umbilical cord blood, which contains stem cells that can be used to treat about 70 different diseases, according to Schissler. Draining the blood from the umbilical cord is a five-minute procedure, but it must be done within 24 hours of birth in order to preserve the cells, he told the students.
He said the oldest sample of umbilical cord blood is 20 years old. In the past nine years, there have been close to 10,000 cord blood transplants to treat diseases, mostly immune disorders.
Schissler said he wanted to pique students' interests in a topic they might not fully understand and possibly inspire them to pursue careers in science.
"They're actually at the beginning of what could be considered a medical revolution," he said.
Thomas said her students understand what cells are, and she thinks they were able to grasp the topics in Schissler's presentation.
Since he started the company in 2003, Schissler has given similar talks to other students on the body's ability to heal itself with its own stem cells. He said he had to carefully tailor his discussion to his audience.
"It's the first time I've spoken to students this young," he said.
Reach staff writer Karen Kemp at 410-857-7890 or karen.kemp@carrollcountytimes.com.
