| Information on umbilical
cord blood and stem cells: |
| What Are Cord Blood And Stem Cells? |
|
Cord blood refers to the blood that remains in the
umbilical cord and in the placenta after it is separated from the
newborn following childbirth. Typically, the umbilical cord and placenta
(also known as the afterbirth) are discarded after a child is born. The
blood found in these organs is rich in a special cell type called stem
cells. Not only do stem cells have the ability to generate all types of
blood cells, but they can be used to treat a variety of life-threatening
diseases, including leukemia, other cancers, blood and immune disorders
and, more recently, sickle cell anemia.
|
| Why Preserve Cord Blood? |
|
Why do we buy life insurance? In order to guard against
the consequences of unforeseen events. Preserving your baby's cord blood
is better than a life insurance policy. It can potentially preserve the
health of the ones you cherish the most. Cord Blood Banking is a
lifetime gift that every parent hopes his or her family will never need
to use. But if you do, Cord Partners will always be there, to deliver
the life saving resource your family may need.
|
| Current
Medical Applications |
- A parent may choose to save their child's cord blood for use by
their child or a sibling in the event a life-threatening disease
develops. In such a case the cord blood stem cells are stored and
cannot be accessed except by you or your child at the age of consent.
- A parent may choose to donate their child's cord blood to
the community, similar in principle to a routine blood donation. Under
these circumstances, the cord blood would be released for use by any
qualified recipient, or perhaps for scientific research.
|
| Future
Treatment Discoveries |
- Not only can stem cells be used to treat a variety of blood
diseases and cancers traditionally treated with bone marrow
transplantation, but also new research is being conducted that shows
the potential for stem cells to help treat other diseases such as
heart disease, stroke, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.
- Cord blood stem cells are especially suited for use in gene
therapy. Researchers are optimistic about similar treatments for AIDS,
Rheumatoid Arthritis & Diabetes.
|
"Stem cells from…umbilical cord blood are now being
used to treat approximately 75 diseases including acute and chronic
leukemia, aplastic anemia, Tay Sach's disease, sickle cell anemia, and
SCIDs. The stem cells found in these sources are called hematopoietic
progenitors and can regenerate the blood and immune system for patients
who undergo chemotherapy or radiation. The hematopoietic stem cell is
the best-studied and most frequently used stem cell (3), and has the
largest proven application to current clinical practice, as it has been
used in transplantation for over thirty years."
(Sandra Wolf, RN. Myfreece.com) |
|
|
|
