Seen a lot of commercials on TV about umbilical cord banks. These are such a great idea for a variety of reasons. They are a source of stem cells, and stem cells are what your child could need to treat a variety of conditions later in life. But what are the current costs?
Well initially you're probably looking at paying around $1000 to $2200. The annual fee is around $100. Is it worth it? It's up to you to decide as a parent, but I say yes.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Bank Umbilical Cord Blood for Stem Cells - Worth it?
Just came across this. The article maintains that there is plenty of hype in the umbilical cord blood industry. While you can store valuable cord blood for the stem cells, keep in mind that most stem cells used in treatments come from public banks. Does this mean you shouldn't bank umbilical cord blood for stem cells? That's a question you should discuss with your family and Doctor.
Umbilical cord blood banking
Ran across this article today. Remember, you can do umbilical cord blood banking for up to 20 years for private use. Please keep this in mind. There are exceptional amounts of stem cells to be found in umbilical cord blood.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Stem cells cure man of HIV!
CNN.com is reporting that a man appears to be free of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant that was resistant to HIV. This is absolutely astounding news, and should be another reason why you should Donate Umbilical Cord Blood!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Information about storing Umbilical Cord Blood
Donating umbilical cord blood isn't the only thing that you can do. You can also choose to store the blood for your own families private use. While donating umbilical cord blood is typically free, there are some heavy costs associated with storing it for private use. It can cost $1500+ USD to start and a recurring cost of $100+. If you are interested in doing this for your family, check out this link on Parent's Guide to Cordblood. They have a very comprehensive list of the pricing and private Cord Banks. Remember to encourage expectant families to at least consider donating their cord blood!
Cord Blood cures New Zealand girl
Radio New Zealand has a story about a girl who received cord blood treatment. According to the article: "Maia Friedlander from Auckland was unable to walk, talk or chew her food" before the treatment, whereas she is now able to attend kindergarten.
A call to action
Umbilical cord blood donation may spare critically-ill patients the agony of leukemia, lymphoma, and additionally 50+ ailments. Moral issues do no arise from cord blood donations. Unlike embryonic stem cell research, these stem-cell come from the umbilical cord, and this cord is normally just thrown away as biomedical waste.
Cord blood donation demands advance preparation, and the OB Doctor must act immediately after the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. Luckily, the donated blood is not taken until after it is away from both mother and baby, so there's no risk of discomfort. However, unless you have made proper arrangements with the Doctor, this blood is not taken, and it simply becomes medical waste.
Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells that can be made into various types of healthy tissue. That tissue possibly can be used to treat leukemia and other cancers, sickle cell, brain tumors, osteoporosis, and other life threatening diseases. Currently, stem cells are being researched as a possible method to treat Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and diabetes.
The cord blood is also screened for certain types of dispositions and diseases. Even if the cord blood is not selected as eligible to go to another person, many times it will still be used in medical research.
The time of birth can now be seen as a celebration for two reasons. Not only is there a new life in the world, that life can help save the life of another person, just by donating umbilical cord blood that would otherwise be cast away. Now is the time to take action. If you are expecting a child, please ask yourself, can you donate their umbilical cord blood?
Cord blood donation demands advance preparation, and the OB Doctor must act immediately after the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. Luckily, the donated blood is not taken until after it is away from both mother and baby, so there's no risk of discomfort. However, unless you have made proper arrangements with the Doctor, this blood is not taken, and it simply becomes medical waste.
Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells that can be made into various types of healthy tissue. That tissue possibly can be used to treat leukemia and other cancers, sickle cell, brain tumors, osteoporosis, and other life threatening diseases. Currently, stem cells are being researched as a possible method to treat Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and diabetes.
The cord blood is also screened for certain types of dispositions and diseases. Even if the cord blood is not selected as eligible to go to another person, many times it will still be used in medical research.
The time of birth can now be seen as a celebration for two reasons. Not only is there a new life in the world, that life can help save the life of another person, just by donating umbilical cord blood that would otherwise be cast away. Now is the time to take action. If you are expecting a child, please ask yourself, can you donate their umbilical cord blood?
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