Banking Umbilical Cord Blood and Cord Tissue

From diagnostic tools to treatment modalities, innovative advancements in the medical technology have been offering promising solutions to increase the quality of patient’s life and cure the root cause of debilitating conditions effectively. Introduction of umbilical cord blood stem cell transplants is a case in point. Umbilical cord which connects the mother to a developing fetus has mainly two layers – an outer layer of smooth muscle and inner layer made from gelatinous Wharton’s jelly. The cord has one vein and two arteries. Vein supplies oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the fetus whereas arteries take away the nutrient depleted and deoxygenated blood from the fetus.

Blood from the umbilical cord is an abundant source of multipotent Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and can be used to treat a number of life threatening conditions. Moreover, it is also used for the regenerative medicine research and clinical trials. Not just the cord blood (CB), but the umbilical cord tissue also contains Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Currently, HSCs are used to treat more than 80 diseases including leukemias, lymphomas, anemias and Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). On the other hand, umbilical cord tissue is not yet used in the medical applications or clinical practice. However, researchers firmly believe that the cord tissue’s MSCs has the potential to treat spinal cord injuries, heart disease, arthritis, stroke, alzheimer’s and type 1 diabetes.  Several clinical trials and studies are underway to explore the promising applications and therapeutic benefits of cord tissue MSCs. And that is why medical communities consider umbilical cord blood and tissue as a precious resource.

If you are an expectant parent, then you may either choose to bank your newborn’s cord blood or donate it. You should discuss the matter with your family doctor and family member before taking a final decision. Families with a medical history of inherited diseases may opt for private cord blood banking. No matter whether you decide to bank or donate your newborn’s CB, choosing a reputed cord blood bank is significant.

Resource From:Use of Cord Blood and Cord Tissue Stem Cells

Baby Cord Blood for Stem Cell Transplants

Significant strides and breakthroughs in the medical research and healthcare have helped the physicians to diagnose and treat patients better. Let us consider the field of stem cell research. Scientists have been striving hard to tap into the potential of master cells in curing wide and extensive array of diseases. Several discoveries were made over the past decade and the use of baby cord blood for stem cell transplants was just one of them. Umbilical cord blood that connects an embryo to the placenta serves an integral role of providing nutrients to the growing fetus. Discovery of stem cell presence in the cord blood and cord tissue was a major milestone in the history of stem cell research. Blood forming hematopoietic stem cells present in the cord blood can develop into red cells, white cells or platelets, which makes it capable of curing different types of debilitating conditions including genetic disorders, immune deficiencies and blood disorders. On the other hand, umbilical cord tissue contains Mesenchymal stem cells that can develop into different skeletal tissues such as cartilage, bone and fat.

Cord blood, being a rich source of blood forming stem cells can be used for the transplants among leukemia patients so as to restore the body’s ability to make blood and immune cells. That is the reason why medical community and scientists have been encouraging the banking and donation of baby cord blood. Private and public cord blood stem cell banking services are available to the expectant parents. Blood stored in the private bank will be solely for the family whereas cord blood donated to the public bank will be used for life saving transplants and research purpose. Great shelf life, lower risk of viral contamination, higher flexibility and lower incidence rates of graft versus host disease are some of the major benefits that makes cord blood stem cells a better alternative over bone marrow transplants.

Resource From:Bone Marrow Transplant Versus Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplant

Cord Blood Banking As an Insurance Plan

Cord blood, once discarded as medical waste has gained life-saving status these days. Blood present in the umbilical cord and placenta is a rich source of stem cells. No need to repeat the spiel about the benefits of stem cells. Also known as master cells, these units are considered as the building blocks of human body.  They are capable of dividing and renewing themselves. Though they are unspecialised, these cells can give rise to specialised tissues and cell types. These are some of the significant properties that make stem cells unique. When scientists discovered the abundant presence of stem cells in the umbilical cord tissue and cord blood, it was a milestone in the field of regenerative medicine research. Currently, cord blood stem cells are used to treat more than 80 life threatening conditions whereas the clinical application of umbilical cord tissue is yet under the experimental stage.

Cord blood or CB contains blood-forming haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and cord tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells. Blood-forming stem cells of CB are used for transplant procedure of leukaemia patients. Some of the major diseases that can be treated with cord blood include leukaemia, blood and bone marrow disorders, cancer and immune deficiencies. Cord blood stem cell transplants are a great alternative to the bone marrow transplants. Ongoing research and advancements have made the cord blood banking and treatments more popular and affordable.

Number of expectant parents opting for the private cord blood banking is rising. Majority of them bank their newborn’s CB as a type of health insurance for the child and family.  On the other hand, parents who can’t afford to bank their baby’s CB may think about donating it to a public cord bank. Stem cells donated to the public bank are not only used for life-saving transplants, but also for research and clinical trials.

Originally Published:Cord Blood Banking to Insure Your Child’s Health

What Are The Benefits Of Stem Cell Research?

If you have heard about the stem cell research, then you might be familiar with its surrounding controversies also. Stem cells, also known as the master cells have a remarkable potential to treat many life-threatening conditions. Currently, these cells are used for various transplants and medical applications. Moreover, several clinical trials and research works are underway exploring its potential to treat even more debilitating conditions in future. Applications and benefits of stem cell research are many.

Transplants are one of the major applications of stem cell research. Master cells with renewal properties can restore the function of a damaged or dysfunctional cell. However, harvesting the master cells is not an easy task. Until recently, stem cells were collected from bone marrow for the transplants. But the discovery of cell presence in the newborn baby cord blood was a major milestone. Blood left in the placenta and umbilical cord after the child birth contains enormous number of stem cells. Both cord blood and umbilical cord tissue are harvested and stored for treatments and research purpose. Cord blood contains hematopoieticstem cells (HSCs), whereas umbilical cord tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Currently newborn baby cord blood is used for treating more than eighty diseases which includes but are not limited to leukaemia, inherited blood disorders and inherited metabolic disorders.

Stem cells have the unique ability to differentiate into specialised cell types and can keep on renewing themselves. Such properties can be exploited to treat a wide range of diseases. Regenerative medicine research and studies focus on exploiting the potential of stem cells to reverse diseases. According to the scientists, stem cells can act as an ultimate body repair kit and holds the promise of strengthening body’s natural healing abilities. Some of the promising applications of cord blood banking include the treatment of spinal cord injuries, cardio vascular diseases, Parkinson’s disease, type I diabetes, genetic defects and burn victims.

Originally Published:Major Benefits of Stem Cell Research

Importance of Storing or Donating Umbilical Cord Blood

Over the last decades, stem cell banking has become a significant medical practice for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Bone marrow has been considered as the primary source of stem cells for many years. But with the recent advancements in stem cell research, scientists have found the presence of master cells in the new-born’s umbilical cord blood. In the past, the umbilical cord that act as a lifeline to the baby is cut off and disposed right after the child birth. However, the discovery of perinatal stem cell presence in cord blood and umbilical cord tissue has given it a life-saving status. Since harvesting of umbilical cord tissue and blood is safe, quick and pain-less procedure, cord blood stem cell banking has been gaining immense popularity. Currently, cord blood stem cells are used to treat more than 80 life-threatening diseases which include leukemia, lymphoma and sickle cell disease to name a few.

Families can either bank or donate their baby’s umbilical cord blood (CB) and tissue. Banking CB at a private cord blood bank may cost you a pretty penny, whereas donation to a public bank is absolutely free of cost. If you are an expectant parent, then it is important to educate yourself about the importance and medical benefits of stem cell banking. Do spend enough time in research so that you can get a better understanding about the current therapies and future treatments using CB stem cells. If you have decided to store your baby’s cord blood, then it is important to plan ahead of time. Expectant parents who can’t afford to bank the cord blood at a private facility can think about public donation, as it can save a life. Sick patients who are in need for a stem cell transplant may benefit from your CB donation. So, have a detailed discussion with your doctor and family members in order to take an informed decision.

Resource From:Umbilical Cord Blood – Store or Donate?

Value of Umbilical Cord Blood

If you are an expecting parent, then you should be aware about the benefits of newborn baby blood cord banking services. In most cases, the umbilical cord is  clamped, cut and discarded as a medical waste. However, the blood present in the umbilical cords and the placentas are rich in stem cells, similar to those found in bone marrow. Used for treating a range of conditions including blood cancers and other genetically inherited disorders, cord blood (CB) possesses an incredible potential to save lives.

Harvesting the newborn umbilical cord blood is as simple as donating blood, which harms neither the mother nor the baby. Soon after the child  birth, the cord will be cut and the clinician will pierce the cord with a needle to draw out the blood into a sterile collection bag.  The sample is then transferred to the bank, where it is processed and frozen in liquid nitrogen for storage.

Expectant parents who are interested in saving the umbilical cord tissue and cord blood should do a detailed research to find the best family cord blood banking facility. Browse the web pages to collect details about the private cord blood banks in and around your vicinity. Or else, seek the recommendations and guidance of your doctor.

Choosing a private baby blood cord banking facility is not an easy task, especially if you have no idea about the factors to look for. Start with the background check. Enquire about their accreditation and reputation in the medical community.  Find out whether they are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for processing and storing the umbilical cord tissue and blood. Make it a point to go through the testimonials and references. Last but not the least, ask about their pricing structure.

If you are not planning to save the newborn’s umbilical cord blood because of the higher banking costs, then consider donating it to the public cord blood banks. Cord blood donated to the public banks will be used for life saving stem cell transplants and research purposes. Since now you are aware of the benefits and options available for using the child’s cord blood, it is up to you to decide whether to discard it or save it.

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Baby Blood Cord Banking – What You Need To Know

3 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Family Cord Blood Bank

Cord blood banking has been gaining immense popularity these days. This new trend in the medical community that promises lifetime health protection of a child has caught the attention of most expectant parents.  Umbilical cord blood and tissue collected after the child birth contains stem cells which has the incredible potential to treat several diseases. With more and more people realising the remarkable benefits of stem cell research and treatments, the number of parents opting for cord blood banking are increasing.

So, if you have decided to bank the cord blood, here are some tips to help you out. Go ahead and take a look at the following points to get a better insight.

1. Do your research: Spend enough time to do some research regarding the importance of storingcord blood (CB) and umbilical cord tissue. You can’t rush to a decision when it is about banking the CB. So start planning ahead of time. Talk with your family and friends. Moreover, decide whether to choose the public or private banking option. If you wish to donate the cord blood, go for the public banking service; choose a private family cord banking facility to store the CB for your own future purpose.
2. Review the options: List out the names of private or public cord banks in and around your locality. The next step is to do a background check so that you can find more information regarding their reputation and service quality. Does the bank function in compliance with the FDA or AABB rules and regulations? Is the bank accredited? Always make it a point to check whether they follow stringent quality assurance techniques when processing and storing umbilical cord tissue and blood.
3. Questions: Have a discussion with the medical team of the bank that offers family cord banking. Enquire about their CB collection and processing methods. Is the bank equipped with latest technologies to store the cord blood and tissue? Have they facilitated any successful transplants? Find as much information as possible.

Above all, talk with your physician for availing recommendations. Not only will they make you understand about the undeniable benefits of stem cell research, but also guide you in taking an informed decision.

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3 Tips to Help You Choose Family Cord Blood Bank

Preserve Your Baby’s Umbilical Cord Blood

Medical researchers have given a marvelous gift of awesome stem cell research. After years of research and hard work, medical researchers have given us a marvelous gift in the form of stem cell research. The stem cell research is a big breakthrough in medical research as it has incredible advantages of rejuvenating patients’ life. A stem cell is an immature cell that can be transplanted into different cells. As per the researchers, stem cells are of two types: adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Stem cells are very important from the viewpoint of medical treatment as they have limitless potential of treating medical health problems. They repair the smashed cells and give life back to millions of patients.

Natural umbilical cord blood is full of rich stem cells. Soon after the birth of a child, the doctor or a representative from the stem cell bank collects the cord blood from the placenta in order to store it in the bank for for future health treatments.With the use of natural umbilical cord blood, we can make treatments for many diseases and can recover patients from major diseases like Cancers, diabetes, bone marrow and other serious illnesses. With the fruitful research on the cord blood and cord tissues, medical researchers are now optimistic about its usage in the future for recovering the health of many patients in critical conditions. We are now equipped to find cure for more diseases and save millions of lives every year.

Seeing the amazing cord tissue benefits, expecting parents have started registering themselves with the AABB accredited banks. You can avail the cord tissue benefits only if you make the right choice at the right time. The right time is to register yourselves with the FDA approved cord banks before the delivery of your child. Once registered, you need to inform the cord blood bank about the expected delivery date and time, so that one of the representatives from the cord blood bank can come and collect the precious umbilical cord blood. The bank representative stores the collected umbilical cord blood in a special collection kit to be taken to the laboratory for preserving it with a high quality process so that it can be used at the time of emergency to secure your baby from any critical illness. Come out and feel the difference of, giving a gift of amazing cord tissue benefits to your baby!

Resource From:

http://caricord-blood-banking.blogspot.com/2014/11/umbilical-cord-blood-is-boon-for.html

Can Cord Tissue save a Patient’s Life?

Umbilical Cord blood is life. Its charismatic power can save lives of patients from the most dangerous diseases. Due to its characteristics, many parents and expecting parents have become lifetime members of CariCord, a private cord blood bank and they provided secure and safe future for their new generations. Umbilical Cord blood is full of stem cells that can give birth to new cells in the human body. It can also repair the decayed cells and can rejuvenate them after the proper transplantation. The researchers had given years to find life emerging potentiality in the birth cord. At CariCord, the lab technicians provide quality process for preserving the cord blood.

The experienced technicians and the physicians have expertise of transplanting the stem cells in the patient’s body and regenerate new cells. The natural cord tissue must be collected at the time of delivery and then it is safely placed in a collection-kit so that it remains innate. The process of collecting this natural cord tissue hardly takes 20-25 minutes. Also, it is a painless procedure for both the child and the mother. Today, many private banks offer excellent storage facilities at affordable rates.

However, always ensure to preserve your baby’s stem cells in an accredited cord blood bank. You can find variations in cord blood pricing. The FDA approved banks have higher cord blood pricing in comparison to the unauthorized banks. Therefore, before registering your memberships with any of the banks, verify if the cord blood bank company follows the FDA standards. It is once in a lifetime opportunity. So, consult your gynecologists or the health-providers and seek proper guidance from them. After all, it is a question of your children’s future health. If you get quality processing and lifetime storage of baby’s cord blood by investing a little more what could be better then it! The trusted & premier private bank understands that a baby’s life is more important than anything else.

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http://caricord-blood-banking.blogspot.com/2014/10/cord-blood-is-modern-day-therapy.html

Quality Cord Blood Storage in the USA

Baby’s cord blood is full of stem cells that revive life in any medical urgency. It is a reservoir of natural & vital cells that have the potential to repair the damaged cells in a patient’s body. After years of research, the researchers have succeeded in finding the immense usage of baby’s cord blood. 3 decades ago, the health-providers and the gynecologists did not know about the possibilities of the umbilical cord blood. But, because of incessant work and research by the brilliant researchers, the world became aware about the hidden possibilities of the placenta blood.

Today, there are many cord blood banks that provide quality storage facilities. The private cord blood banking company has neat & clean rooms for storing the precious birth cord blood for future medical requirements. The bank follows the quality parameters set by the FDA and the American Association of Blood Banks. You can trust the bank, which is accredited by the AABB and authorized by the FDA. By registering a membership with any of the banks, you simply secure your baby’s future health as well as the health of the family members.

On the first hand, you may find the storage facility costly. But, it is not more expensive than your baby’s life. The cord tissue saves your children from the Cancers, Bone Marrow Failure, Blood disorders, Diabetes and other critical diseases. So, before you enter into the motherhood, plan for securing your newborn baby’s cord tissue with a premium cord blood bank in the USA. As per the researchers, it can treat 80 diseases and they are confident that more illnesses will be treated in the near future. Being a proud parent, give the most precious gift to your baby by securing the natural stem cells in the authorized cord blood banking company and live peacefully.

Resource From:

http://caricord-blood-banking.blogspot.com/2014/09/babys-cord-blood-lifetime-gift.html