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Look for accreditation when considering cord blood banking

September 12, 2011 By admin

Look for accreditation when considering cord blood banking.

Cord blood banking may be a life saving process when umbilical blood is collected and
stored for future purposes. Cord blood is rich with stem cells, that may prove to be
beneficial in treating more than 75 life threatening diseases. The collection process is
easy, painless and takes only a few minutes to store cord blood that is otherwise discarded as biological waste.Cord Blood Bank Accreditation

Cord blood banking has grown in popularity with the knowledge that stem cells are currently responsible for treating over 40 different diseases and disorders and may potentially create cures or ameliorations for diseases such as Type 1 diabetes, Cerebral Palsy and many other devastating ijuries.

Today, there are many private cord blood companies offering the service of collection, processing, testing and storage of umbilical cord blood. 

The internet and telephone conversations are useful resources in helping you choose the right cord blood bank, however it is important to select accredited companies and find out how long each cord blood laboratory has been operational. It is important to check the actual licenses and accreditations as many companies simply put FDA and other logos on their home page.  Experienced companies should have a good track record with banking cord blood and should possess at least an A rating with the BBB.

Financial stability and profitability of the company are two important factors in your
choice for the right cord blood bank. Remember that the company without financial
security will not be able to carry out cord blood banking securely and sustain its
maintenance and operation.

Also, determine how much experience the cord blood bank has company has in providing
samples for lifesaving medical transplants. Many cord blood banks, however, have not
provided a specimen for transplant purposes. Make comparisons among cord blood banks and find out the viability of thawed samples.

Next, consider where the company stores the cord blood stem cells. Some have storage
facilities near their corporate headquarters while others have labs in spots that are free
from natural disasters and the possibility of frequent airport closures. These safeguards
are important points to consider, especially if you live in a hurricane or earthquake prone
area. The final point to consider when choosing a cord blood bank is price.

Each cord blood banking company has a different rate for their service.  Some cord blood

banks offer a service for approximately $1,000, but that is generally for manual cord blood processing. Automated or closed bag processing systems are generally more expensive.  A person can expect to pay up to $2,000 for automated cord blood processing which research has shown recovers higher numbers of critical cells than manual processing.

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Eligibility Guidelines For Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

August 10, 2011 By admin

Eligibility Guidelines for Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

There is absolutely no pain or risk associated with collecting cord blood stem cells. This
procedure takes place immediately after the birth of the baby, and takes only a few minutes. When collecting cord blood stem cells, the medical team will simply clamp the umbilical cord after the removal of the baby, and begin the flow of umbilical cord blood into the collection system.Cord Blood Banking Guidelines

Collecting cord blood stem cells is an uncomplicated procedure as it takes place after
delivery. This is unlike the harvesting of stem cells from bone marrow which requires a
surgical procedure under anesthesia, is painful and invasive, and costly.

There are some eligibility guidelines that have to be met for collecting cord blood stem
cells. The donor must be 18 years or older, in good health and free from several infectious diseases as regulated by the FDA and CDC. For example, it is not recommended that a private bank accept a specimen from a mother who has a history of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B or C, West Nile Virus or Chagas’ Disease. Public banks have additional requirements which include rejection of donations from those who have had tattoos in the past twelve months.

As long as the woman is in good health, and is living in a community where collecting
cord blood stem cells is available, it is possible to donate the baby’s cord blood. Mothers have to choose the participating cord blood bank and consult her doctor for guidance

After collecting cord blood stem cells, the cord blood is sent to the cord blood bank to be
stored for potential future use. It may even be possible to use a privately stored cord blood specimen for another family member. Statistics and research show that there is a 1 in 2 chance that the baby’s cord blood stem cells would be a match for the biological mother and father and a 1 in 4 chance of being a match for biological siblings.

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Methods Of Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

July 28, 2011 By admin

Methods of Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

Collecting cord blood stem cells is not at all harmful to the mother or the infant donor. Umbilical cord blood is collected immediately after delivery.  However, it is important to note, if there are any complications in delivery, there is a chance that your medical caregiver will be unable to collect a specimen of cord blood stem cells.Methods Of Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

When collecting cord blood stem cells, the umbilical cord is clamped after birth. This breaks the link between the baby and placenta. After this, the trained medical staff drains the cord blood from the placenta and umbilical cord. There are different ways for collecting cord blood stem cells, but all have the same purpose.

A needle is usually used for collecting cord blood stem cells into a blood bag, and this procedure takes approximately five minutes. Many companies have different methods of collecting cord blood.  Most companies today use the gravity bag collection system.  Some companies still use the syringe method and many public banks continue to use this method.  The collection style can also be determined based upon the type of delivery, vaginal delivery or cesarean section. Whichever the method, the mother’s cord blood is collected first using a venipuncture.

Colleting cord blood stem cells takes place after birth in both methods using a specific, pre-ordered kit from their chosen cord blood bank.  It is only after the baby is safely delivered that cord blood is collected.  The amount of blood collected during the procedure is essential as there is a direct correlation between the volume collected and the number of critical stem cells that can be recovered.

After the harvesting of cord blood stem cells, the blood is then shipped overnight taken to the cord blood bank. Research has shown that optimal cell levels can be recovered within 24-28 hours after the delivery of the baby.  It is here that the cord blood specimen should be processed, tested and cryogenically stored in quarantine until infectious disease test results received.  A cord blood company should be using a barcode system to avoid identification errors.  After this, when required, blood forming stem cells are thawed and used either in autologous or allogeneic procedures.

In autologous procedures, a person receives his or her own cord blood in a transplant, while in allogeneic procedures, a person receives cord blood that is donated from someone else like a sibling, close relative or someone anonymous. So, you can see that there are many benefits to collecting cord blood stem cells; this blood can save not only the donor, but also others from many life threatening diseases.

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Introduction To Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

June 8, 2011 By admin

An Introduction to Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

The practice of collecting cord blood stem cells as part of the birthing process is a procedure that has been in existence since the year 1988. During that year the first cord blood transplant was done, and since then, more than 8,000 transplants have taken place. Today, thousands of parents are using this once in a lifetime opportunity of collecting cord blood stem cells to be available later for possibly treating health problems.Introduction To Collecting Cord Blood Stem Cells

Not until 1995, however was collecting cord blood stem cells made widely available. The cord blood is collected immediately after birth of the baby once the umbilical cord has been cut. The medical caregiver normally collects the specimen.  This blood used to be discarded as medical waste.  The procedure of collecting cord blood stem cells does not in any way alter normal birth-related procedures. The efficiency of collecting a cord blood stem cell sample is dependant on the amount of cord blood that is collected. The larger the stem cell sample amount that is collected, the better its survival rate of cells in transplant. It is possible to choose the collection method for cord blood by either the syringe or gravity blood bag.

So far, more than 25,000 doctors have been collecting cord blood stem cells in more than 3,000 hospitals and birth centers in the US and more than 72 foreign countries. The practice is rapidly increasing and a growing number of doctors and hospitals are using the procedure of collecting cord blood stem cells with advanced training and technological resources.

It is important to note, however, that there is no risk to the child or the mother when collecting cord blood stem cells, as this is done after the baby is born and after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. This procedure is painless, safe and easy for both mother and baby, and there is no change whatever in the normal delivery process of the baby. The average amount of time required for collecting cord blood stem cells is about 5 minutes.

Once you have decided to collect and store your baby’s cord blood, a cord blood company must be chosen.  The cord blood company will be responsible for providing the cord blood collection kit, assisting you in arranging for delivery of the specimen to their laboratory, processing and testing the cord blood specimen and ultimately cryogenically storing the specimen for your family.

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The Five Basics of Cord Blood Storage

March 21, 2011 By admin

The Five Basics of Cord Blood Storage

Five Basics of Cord Blood Storage

Who participates in cord blood storage?

Expectant mothers can get the administrative wheels turning and inquire about cord blood storage. Just ask your physician or midwife. They will surely have some information or links to resources.

What is cord blood storage?

Cord blood storage captures about 1/3 of a cup of the blood from the umbilical cord at the time of a newborn’s delivery. Cord blood contains a very high density of stem cells (70 million in the standard sample size) that can later be used to treat blood and immune system related genetic diseases, cancers and blood disorders. Cord blood storage is the deep-freezing of the cord blood sample in a cryogenic state. The life of the cells is literally frozen, until brought out of that state.

When is cord blood storage done?

The process of cord blood storage starts just after the birth of a newborn when the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. Blood is drawn from the cord and stored in a sterile environment until it can be transferred to a cord blood storage facility. Reinvigorating the cells after preservation does not appear to have any limits. The earliest harvested cells in cord blood storage are over 15 years old now and show no signs of deterioration.

Where does cord blood storage occur?

The umbilical cord is taken at the time of a newborn’s delivery immediately in the delivery room. Cord blood storage takes place at both private and public storage facilities. In the private instance there are fees involved, and contributors can access private storage banks for family members. In the public instance, there is no cost; donation is anonymous, and the bank is accessed by many non-related people, who are compatible with donors’ cells.  However, those stem cells are no longer owned by the family and are available to the general public.

Why is cord blood storage so important?

Cord blood storage provides an invaluable service in the treatment of diseases. For the most part, cord blood stem cells are utilized in transplant medicine to regenerate a patient’s blood and immune system after they have been treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation to destroy cancer cells. The list of diseases where stem cells can assist the healing process is absolutely impressive, and supports the value of cord blood storage. The disease list includes leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, various other cancers, blood diseases, hereditary/genetic conditions and immune system disorders. In addition, current research on the value of cord blood storage holds significant promise for improving the treatment of some of the most common diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s.

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The Reason Why People Consider Cord Blood Storage

December 19, 2010 By admin

The Reason Why People Consider Cord Blood Storage:

Cord blood storage is the preservation of the cord blood taken from the umbilical cord during birth. The reason cord blood is collected is because it is a rich source of stem cells that may prove to be effective in treating many health problems and conditions. This is why families are now considering the benefits of cord blood storage for their newborn.Reasons Why People Consider Cord Blood Storage

In fact, with cord blood storage, many families believe they are protecting their child’s future. This is because stem cells can be used for treating a myriad of diseases. Being rich in stem cells, cord blood is considered to be a life saving resource for both your child, and for your entire family. Also, there is no lengthy procedure involved in cord blood storage.

Cord blood storage is a process that is safe, painless and only takes about fifteen minutes. Once this blood is stored, and the child or some other member of the has a source for treatment of leukemia or certain other blood diseases; the stem cells of the blood may, in fact, save their lives.

Cord blood storage is done in two storage methods. It can be stored in ‘full liquid’ which means that that tank that stores the blood is full of nitrogen at a temperature of 190 degree Celsius. The other storage alternative is in ‘vapor’ where nitrogen is not in liquid form, but found in vapor form at a temperature of 130 degrees.

There are pros and cons with each method however the industry generally recommends storing in vapor. Though it was easier to maintain temperature in tanks with full liquid nitrogen, the latest storage tanks have improved so that it is possible to maintain a consistent temperature in the tanks.

In addition to consistent temperature, there have been certain hesitations about cord blood storage in full liquid. This is simply because it is easier and possible for infectious diseases to infect other specimens in liquid.  Once the cord blood specimen is stored, the temperature of the samples are monitored electronically and alarms notify the laboratory personnel in the case of a severe change in temperature.

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The benefits of cord blood banking

November 14, 2010 By admin

The benefits of cord blood banking:

The discovery of many uses for cord blood stem cells is a great achievement in medical science.  Cord blood banking is considered a potential life saving process.  Cord blood may be used for treating numerous genetic and blood diseases.Benefits of Cord Blood Banking

Umbilical cord blood has been shown to treat or ameliorate over 40 diseases and disorders including many blood cancers, immune disorders, Lupus, anemia.  Some diseases would not be suitable for the donor themselves but instead would be suitable for a matching recipient.

The field of cord blood research has recently made many new discoveries including successful human clinical trials in the area of Type 1 diabetes, Cerebral Palsy and heart disease.  There are studies continuing in the United States and abroad that include research on Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injuries and stroke.

In addition, cord blood stem cells have a lower risk of graft versus host disease (rejection issues)  when compared to bone marrow transplants therefore allowing for a greater range of finding a donor/recipient.  Cord blood also provides an option that is more affordable, less painful and less invasive than traditional bone marrow transplants.

Considering the benefits of cord blood banking, many expectant couples are opting to collect and store their family’s cord blood to safeguard their family’s future. Couples who cannot afford to pay for private cord blood storage may want to consider donating their cord blood to a public cord blood bank.

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The Benefits of Stem Cell Preservation

October 13, 2010 By admin

The Benefits of Stem Cell Preservation

Stem cell preservation is a medical breakthrough with immense possibilities for mankind. Expectant mothers, in particular, maybe very interested in collecting cord blood, because this blood may be used in the future to cure life-threatening conditions not only for the baby, but also potentially for its siblings and possibly unrelated recipients. There is absolutely no risk involved for the mother and child during cord blood collection for the stem cell preservation process.Benefits of Stem Cell Preservation

In addition to cord blood stem cells being used to treat over 40 different diseases and disorders ranging from blood cancers to immune disorders, stem cells in general are currently being studied, with great success, in treating a myriad of diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, heart disease, Type 1 diabetes, Cerebral Palsy, spinal cord injuries and organ regeneration.

Current estimates indicate that approximately 1 in 3 Americans could benefit from regenerative medicine, and children whose cord blood stem cells are available for their own potential use could be among the first to benefit from new therapies as they become available. With autologous (the person’s own) cells, there is no risk of an immune system rejecting the cells, so physicians and researchers are only performing these potential cord blood therapies on children who have their own stem cells available.1

As a result, it can be inferred that stem cell preservation is a form of insurance and security for your future life, which may potentially be used in the future.

1Harris DT, et al. (2007). “The potential of cord blood stem cells for use in regenerative medicine.”. Expert Opin. Biol. Ther. 7 (9): 1311–1322. doi:10.1517/14712598.7.9.1311. PMID 17727322.

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Stem Cell Preservation

September 8, 2010 By admin

Stem Cell Preservation

In the past decade, most new parents have been given a choice of banking their baby’s cord blood or donating it to a public storage bank.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that is available when your baby is born and before the Stem Cell Preservationumbilical cord is discarded.  Collecting cord blood from the umbilical cord is a five minute procedure and will not hurt the mother or more importantly, the baby.   Umbilical cord blood stem cells are now being used to treat many malignant and non-malignant diseases and new uses for stem cells are being discovered everyday!

A lot of people ask why they should preserve cord blood and the answer is simple.  As most women are aware, during pregnancy the umbilical cord is the lifeline between mothers and their unborn babies.  Most of the time, after the delivery the umbilical cord is cut and then discarded.  The stem cells that are in the cord blood are also discarded.   These stem cells are an exact genetic match for the child.  If you were to preserve them, you would be guaranteeing your child a source of perfectly matched stem cells in the event that they were to develop a life threatening disease that could be treated using these cells.

Stem cells are used to treat a variety of diseases such as leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, along with other cancers, blood diseases and some immune system disorders.  Researchers are striving to make stem cell transplants of use in fighting AIDS, Lupus, lung cancer and Multiple Sclerosis. The reason why they are so valuable is that stem cells have been known as the building blocks of blood and the immune system and also other tissues in our bodies.   They can also transform into other cell types such as red blood cells and white blood cells and platelets.  This is what makes them so valuable.   They can replace other cells in our body that are abnormal, weakened or ruined by disease. In fact one of the main uses of stem cells is to replace abnormal bone marrow cells.

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History of the Value of Cord Blood Storage

August 24, 2010 By admin

History of the Value of Cord Blood Storage

To date, approximately 8,000 people worldwide have received medical therapies using the stem cells saved from a newborn’s umbilical cord during cord bloodHistory of Cord Blood Storage storage. Among the diseases treated: leukemia, breast cancer, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, various other cancers, blood diseases, hereditary/genetic conditions and immune system disorders.

The process of cord blood storage is very simple – just after the birth of a newborn the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. Blood is drawn from the cord and stored in a sterile environment until it can be transferred to a cord blood storage facility. The stem cells from that blood can eventually be utilized (after testing and matching) in rebuilding the blood or immune systems.

Historical Benchmarks in Cord Blood Storage

By participating in cord blood storage you and your child contribute to a rich history of life saving events.

1983 – First proposal of the concept of using umbilical cord blood as an alternative source of stem cells for transplant. The basic function of cord blood stem cells is similar to bone marrow cells, though cord blood cells are viewed as more versatile because a perfect tissue match between donor and recipient is not necessary.

1988 – First successful cord blood transplant to regenerate blood and immune cells in Paris, France, on a six-year old boy suffering from Fanconi’s Anemia, a blood disorder.

1992 – The New York Blood Center established the first cord blood storage facility through funding provided by the National Institutes of Health.

1993 – First cord blood transplant takes place between a donor and recipient not related to one another.

1995 – First family cord blood storage facility opens.

1998 – 12-year old was the first successful transplant patient to benefit from using cord blood storage to cure sickle cell anemia. According to the National Cord Blood Program, one year after transplant, Keone was cured.

2004 – Health and Human Services Appropriations Act for Fiscal year 2004 provides funds to create a national cord blood storage program.

2004 – Illinois becomes first state to enact legislation to mandate that birthing women have the option to donate their baby’s umbilical cord blood to a public cord blood storage facility at no cost.

2006 – More than 8,000 cord blood transplants have been performed worldwide.

Moving Forward in Cord Blood Storage

In just 20 years the medical field has made incredible strides in treating life-threatening diseases, and in the case of cord blood stem cells the advances have been incredible. It is proven to be a safe procedure, and one of low-risk/high reward for the recipients. Stem cell storage continues to be a vital part of these advances and we look forward to what the future brings as more expectant moms opt for cord blood storage.

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