<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!-- generator="wordpress/2.0.7" -->
<rss version="2.0" 
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Cord Blood Therapy</title>
	<link>http://cryocord.info/cordblood</link>
	<description>Cord Blood Information</description>
	<pubDate>Sat, 06 Oct 2007 21:03:02 +0000</pubDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.7</generator>
	<language>en</language>
			<item>
		<title>Blood Cord Banking</title>
		<link>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-banking.html</link>
		<comments>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-banking.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cord Blood Researcher</dc:creator>
		
		<category>Cord Blood</category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Cord Blood Transplant is the alternative medical practice that can replace bone marrow transplant, it is created as a result of legitimate cord blood registries that made the process safe and assured the safety of the people availing of the procedure. 
In the United States, a bill has been filed in Congress seeking to further [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Cord Blood Transplant is the alternative medical practice that can replace bone marrow transplant, it is created as a result of legitimate cord blood registries that made the process safe and assured the safety of the people availing of the procedure. </p>
<p>In the United States, a bill has been filed in Congress seeking to further improve the medical practice of cord blood transplants. The bill is called the <b>Cord Blood Stem Act of 2005 (HR 596)</b> and the author of this bill is New Jersey Representative Honorable Chris Smith, the proposed legislative bill seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act and to establish a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Network to prepare, store, and distribute human umbilical cord blood stem cells for the treatment of patients and to support peer-reviewed research using such cells.</p>
<p>It is strongly supported by fellow congressmen, scientists and cord blood transplant recipients. The bill&#8217;s author, Rep. Smith, said that the proposed law seeks to make available the miracle of stem cells to patients who have otherwise no alternative cure to recover from lethal diseases. </p>
<p>The proposed bill, strongly endorsed by members of the American Congress, intends to create a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Network which would produce an inventory of 150,000 ready-to-use, top quality cord blood units available to patients, especially, marginalized ones, who are in dire need of blood cord transplants. </p>
<p>The large inventory would assure that even with America&#8217;s diverse ethnic diversity, majority of the American patients are assured to receive a well-matched cord blood sample.</p>
<p>In America alone, an estimated of 20,000 adults and children don&#8217;t have a matched relative or donor for treatment of lethal diseases that can only be cured with a marrow transplant. Thousands more cannot be transplanted because they cannot find suitable donors, matching same type people who are ready to donate among the several volunteer donors in the bone marrow registries. These are the patients who are suffering from diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, other metabolic diseases or genetic diseases of the immune and blood system.</p>
<p>Cord blood is a proven source of stem cells, which unlike bone marrow, can be safely collected from mothers and babies and when properly stored and frozen, can be usable for many years. One distinct advantage of cord blood transplantation over bone marrow transplantation is that it doesn&#8217;t need to exactly match a certain tissue type. Patients with uncommon tissue types like in the case of many ethnic minority individuals can find matches for their types. </p>
<p>But is likewise known that recipients of better-matched grafts recover faster and better and this is one of the main purposes of Rep. Smith&#8217;s bill - to create a larger cord blood inventory that would mean better matches and better transplant survival for the patient.</p>
<p>With the impending approval of this bill, long suffering patients waiting for bone marrow transplants now have another, a much better option which is cord blood transplant. The urgent demand for cord blood caused by an upsurge in cord blood transplants for various diseases has spawned a number of cord blood banks. Cord blood registry on the other hand has provided the ground rules needed for the strict regulation, observation and monitoring of various private and public blood cord banks.</p>
<p>A noted increase in the number of parents who registered to have their child&#8217;s cord blood collected and catalogued either though public or non-profit private cord banks or through private, profit-oriented blood cord banks has been noted especially in Europe and in USA. Blood cord registry and enrollment process is a simple procedure. Payment schemes are usually staggered from 6 months to a year in easy, flexible terms- these are done to encourage a lot of parents to register.</p>
<p>Transplanting blood stem rich in blood-producing cells into the patient&#8217;s bone marrow can treat leukemia. There are three sources of stem cells that are being used for transplants; these are bone marrow, the circulating blood, and umbilical cord blood.</p>
<p>In the process of transplanting blood stem cells, the leukemia patient is initially given a treatment of chemotherapy to wipe out the patient&#8217;s leukemia cells and his immune system. After which blood stem cells are transplanted into the patient&#8217;s blood to restore the patient&#8217;s immune system and have healthy blood cell production. </p>
<p>Two types of blood stem cell transplants that are used to treat patients with Leukemia are: <br />1) Autologous blood stem cell transplants which use the patient&#8217;s own blood stem cells. <br />2) Allogeneic blood stem cell transplants, which use the blood stem cells of a donor. </p>
<p>Blood cord transplant is the alternative choice; the safer choice compared vis-a-vis bone marrow transplant. It is, an answer to a new life, a better tomorrow for patients longing for a healthier future. </p>
<p>
&#8211;About&#8211;<br />For more information on cord blood banking, visit <a href="http://www.blood-cord-bank.com">Blood Cord Bank</a>.<br />
 Source: <a href='http://www.articletrader.com/health/blood-cord-banking.html'>ArticleTrader.com</a>
</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-banking.html/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Blood Cord Bank: An introduction to cord blood stem cells</title>
		<link>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-bank-an-introduction-to-cord-blood-stem-cells.html</link>
		<comments>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-bank-an-introduction-to-cord-blood-stem-cells.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cord Blood Researcher</dc:creator>
		
		<category>Cord Blood</category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Finding a source of primitive stem cells.There are news reports about the positive impact that research on cord blood stem cells is having on the possible cure for numerous life threatening diseases. But with so many varying reports about it or even factions it is impossible to keep track of all its useful facts. Stem [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>Finding a source of primitive stem cells.</b>There are news reports about the positive impact that research on cord blood stem cells is having on the possible cure for numerous life threatening diseases. But with so many varying reports about it or even factions it is impossible to keep track of all its useful facts. Stem cells show a great level of plasticity which means they can generate and regenerate into many different types of cells and even organs within the our body. Potentially, if they can be removed from the donor and transfused into the patient then in the future, stem cells could be used to cure virtually any illness.</p>
<p>Stem cells are more frequently found in babies or even in embryos although it has been discovered that adult stem cells do exist. To date these have mostly been found in the brain but are dispersed freely amongst millions of other cells making the extraction incredibly difficult. </p>
<p>Cord blood stem cells, on the other hand, are very easy to remove. Because the process is completed after the child has been born and the umbilical cord cut and clamped there is no effect whatsoever on the baby, the parent or the birth itself.</p>
<p><b>Stem cell testing.</b> The umbilical cord stem cell matrix is called Wharton&#8217;s jelly and is rich in primitive stem cells. These cells are one that has yet to progress, transform or produce other cells. Primitive stem cells are the most effective type of stem cells that can be used in a transfusion on any patient. </p>
<p>Typically a lot of testing has been done on animals to prove the viability of using stem cells taken from cord blood of newborn babies and amongst the most prominent of these tests, according to the online journal &#8220;stem cells&#8221;, have been tests carried out on pigs. </p>
<p>In a human blood cord, similar to a pig umbilical cord, two arteries &#038; vein are found and tests have shown positive results concerned with the storage and potency of the blood. The journal &#8220;stem cells&#8221; contains a lot of data relating to stem cells and articles on various related topics.</p>
<p>At present leukemia and anemia are the two most common diseases treated with stem cell transfusions although since stem cell research has grown in volume and results diseases such as Parkinson&#8217;s, Multiple Sclerosis and many different forms of cancer are also showing positive results.</p>
<p><b>How stem cells become T cells.</b> T cells are the cells that are responsible for fighting infection in children and are created when stem cells pass through the thymus gland. If the patient does not have an adequate number of effective stem cells in their blood then they will not be able to create the T cells. And subsequently they are much more likely to suffer serious infections. This, in turn, means that cord blood stem cells can be used to recreate T cells as well as other vital cells within the body of your child. The stem cells will then create an army of T cells to fight off infection and leave the body to function in a normal manner. </p>
<p>As with a blood transfusion it is imperative to the operation&#8217;s success that the stem cells transfused are of the same type as the patient&#8217;s own blood. Using cord blood stem cells belonging to the patient themselves all but guarantees that this will be the case.</p>
<p>&#8211;About&#8211;<br />For more information on cord blood banking, visit <a href="http://www.blood-cord-bank.com">Blood Cord Bank</a>.<br />
 Source: <a href='http://www.articletrader.com/health/blood-cord-bank-an-introduction-to-cord-blood-stem-cells.html'>ArticleTrader.com</a>
</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-bank-an-introduction-to-cord-blood-stem-cells.html/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Research</title>
		<link>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/umbilical-cord-stem-cell-research.html</link>
		<comments>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/umbilical-cord-stem-cell-research.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cord Blood Researcher</dc:creator>
		
		<category>Cord Blood</category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The umbilical cord stem cell research has certainly hit the headlines lately and whether you are considering storing the blood of your newborn baby for your family&#8217;s use or for the purposes of donation it is important that you get a good all round picture of umbilical cord stem cell research and what it means [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The umbilical cord stem cell research has certainly hit the headlines lately and whether you are considering storing the blood of your newborn baby for your family&#8217;s use or for the purposes of donation it is important that you get a good all round picture of umbilical cord stem cell research and what it means to you as well as the rest of the world. </p>
<p>The first thing you should know, and probably already do, is that stem cell research is not as new a phenomenon as you might think. A bone marrow transplant is successful because it replaces stem cells within the patient using the stem cells found in the bone marrow from the donor. The morality of embryonic stem cell research does not apply to umbilical cord stem cell research.</p>
<p>Often, discussions of stem cell research break down into an argument regarding the ethical use of embryonic stem cells; however, it is important to differentiate between embryonic stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells. </p>
<p>The retrieval of embryonic stem cells leads to the destruction of the embryo, however, umbilical cord blood can be taken once the birth is completed and the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut as usual. </p>
<p>The birth and mother and baby are unaffected by the procedure making it completely harmless to all concerned. Another important point is that when researchers talk about umbilical cord blood they are also referring to blood taken from the placenta, otherwise known as the afterbirth. Again, the extraction of this blood is carried out only once the birth is completed and at a time when the cord and the placenta would normally be disposed of.</p>
<p><b>History of the use of flexible stem cells + placenta.</b></p>
<p>Bone marrow transplants have been carried out for more than 30 years and with exceptionally good results but that doesn&#8217;t mean that the process is faultless. The extraction of bone marrow is a complicated procedure that is intrusive to the donor. The procedure is painful and can result in recovery time stemming over several weeks. Also, there are comparatively few donors willing to donate bone marrow because of this fact. </p>
<p>Most patients who have a bone marrow transplant find that their best chance of finding a donor is through a sibling or other relative. This is because the marrow and the stem cells must be a match with the patient. </p>
<p>A list of criteria is drawn up and the more boxes that can be ticked the greater the match and subsequently the less chance there is that the body will reject the new tissue. Tissue rejection can lead to a worsening of the patient&#8217;s condition so it is important that marrow transplants only occur when a good match is found.</p>
<p><b>Why umbilical cord stem cell transplants?</b></p>
<p>The umbilical cord blood transplants utilize cord blood that is high in primitive stem cells. These stem cells are not only more able to transform into other cells but are also much more likely to be accepted by the patient&#8217;s body and immune system. This is essentially because they are seen as less of a threat than adult stem cells found in adult&#8217;s bone marrow. </p>
<p>Currently one of the big adult stem cells cons and gives light to research being carried out on diseases other than those that a bone marrow transplant can help, and early indications show that an umbilical cord blood transplant could be the answer to heart failure and many other deadly diseases. </p>
<p>Overall the picture of umbilical cord stem cell research is a positive picture and with more donations of cord blood further research can be conducted and more uses for the stem cells derived from cord blood can be developed.</p>
<p>
&#8211;About&#8211;<br />For more information on cord blood banking, visit <a href="http://www.blood-cord-bank.com">Blood Cord Bank</a>.<br />
 Source: <a href='http://www.articletrader.com/health/umbilical-cord-stem-cell-research.html'>ArticleTrader.com</a>
</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/umbilical-cord-stem-cell-research.html/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cord blood Accreditation.</title>
		<link>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/cord-blood-accreditation.html</link>
		<comments>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/cord-blood-accreditation.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cord Blood Researcher</dc:creator>
		
		<category>Cord Blood</category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you have decided that you want to store the blood from your baby&#8217;s umbilical cord it is an important step to compare cord blood banks in a bid to make sure that you select the correct organization. 
You would be forgiven for thinking that all of the organizations offer the same things, but some [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you have decided that you want to store the blood from your baby&#8217;s umbilical cord it is an important step to compare cord blood banks in a bid to make sure that you select the correct organization. </p>
<p>You would be forgiven for thinking that all of the organizations offer the same things, but some companies offer more than other companies. There are a number of things you should consider before making the all-important final decision; these factors include accreditation, experience, knowledge and financial security. This choice, though, is one pro of stem cells and the research being conducted on them.</p>
<p>When you begin to compare cord blood banks one of the first things you may notice is that some of them are accredited while others are not. Accreditation is voluntary but being accredited by the AABB means that the company you are considering has high standards with regards to most of the factors you will look at yourself. </p>
<p><b>Experience.</b></p>
<p>The use of stem cell transplants is quite a new technique, however, successful cord blood transfusions have taken place and this means that there are organizations that have successfully stored and eventually used the cord blood in question. It may seem unfair to judge a company just because they haven&#8217;t had the opportunity to prove that there systems, technique and facilities are up to scratch but the fact remains that if your child needs the use of their cord blood in ten years time you want to be absolutely certain that the company you have entrusted with this will be able to unfreeze the blood and find that it has retained it&#8217;s potency. Some of the well established companies have 100% success rates with tens of previous cases. This is a statistic not be taken lightly.</p>
<p><b>Knowledge.</b></p>
<p>One factor that you might overlook when trying to compare cord blood banks is whether the company in question dedicate any or enough money to funding further research. In the case of many banks, funding is primarily used to research advances in storage techniques and the techniques in which the blood is transported and prepared for use. If a company does not invest enough money in this then they will eventually be left behind by the companies that do. Inevitably it is you, or indeed your children, who will suffer the consequences.</p>
<p><b>Financial security.</b></p>
<p>When investing time, money or your children&#8217;s cord blood in a company it is important that that company will still be in operation should the day arrive when you need the blood in question. If a company fails financially while your baby&#8217;s blood is stored in their facility then there is a reasonable chance that you will not be able to do anything about moving the blood. Once cord blood goes into storage it should not be removed and transported from location to location if it is at all possible to avoid this. You will be storing the umbilical cord blood for up to 15 years, and that&#8217;s only presuming that no further advances are made, so you need to be as sure as possible that the company will still be in operation in 15 years time.</p>
<p>By selecting a company that is affiliated to a large hospital or other organization you can afford yourself greater peace of mind that they will indeed still be around when the time comes to use the blood you have in storage. Many major hospitals do affiliate with some of the more famous and well established cord blood banks and for true peace of mind you should consider using one of these companies. This also offers you the benefit that that hospital in question will be willing to undertake a transfusion using that blood. </p>
<p><b>Donating cord blood.</b></p>
<p>Of course, money plays a part in any major decision of this kind and, unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t always possible to pick the company you would ideally settle on in other circumstances. In fact, the cost may add up to prove to be more than you can afford. In which case, you should not feel guilty about it, but you should instead consider donating the cord blood.</p>
<p>
&#8211;About&#8211;<br />For more information on cord blood banking, visit <a href="http://www.blood-cord-bank.com">Blood Cord Bank</a>.<br />
 Source: <a href='http://www.articletrader.com/health/cord-blood-accreditation.html'>ArticleTrader.com</a>
</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/cord-blood-accreditation.html/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Blood Cord Banking</title>
		<link>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-banking.html</link>
		<comments>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-banking.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cord Blood Researcher</dc:creator>
		
		<category>Cord Blood</category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Cord Blood Transplant is the alternative medical practice that can replace bone marrow transplant, it is created as a result of legitimate cord blood registries that made the process safe and assured the safety of the people availing of the procedure. 
In the United States, a bill has been filed in Congress seeking to further [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Cord Blood Transplant is the alternative medical practice that can replace bone marrow transplant, it is created as a result of legitimate cord blood registries that made the process safe and assured the safety of the people availing of the procedure. </p>
<p>In the United States, a bill has been filed in Congress seeking to further improve the medical practice of cord blood transplants. The bill is called the <b>Cord Blood Stem Act of 2005 (HR 596)</b> and the author of this bill is New Jersey Representative Honorable Chris Smith, the proposed legislative bill seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act and to establish a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Network to prepare, store, and distribute human umbilical cord blood stem cells for the treatment of patients and to support peer-reviewed research using such cells.</p>
<p>It is strongly supported by fellow congressmen, scientists and cord blood transplant recipients. The bill&#8217;s author, Rep. Smith, said that the proposed law seeks to make available the miracle of stem cells to patients who have otherwise no alternative cure to recover from lethal diseases. </p>
<p>The proposed bill, strongly endorsed by members of the American Congress, intends to create a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Network which would produce an inventory of 150,000 ready-to-use, top quality cord blood units available to patients, especially, marginalized ones, who are in dire need of blood cord transplants. </p>
<p>The large inventory would assure that even with America&#8217;s diverse ethnic diversity, majority of the American patients are assured to receive a well-matched cord blood sample.</p>
<p>In America alone, an estimated of 20,000 adults and children don&#8217;t have a matched relative or donor for treatment of lethal diseases that can only be cured with a marrow transplant. Thousands more cannot be transplanted because they cannot find suitable donors, matching same type people who are ready to donate among the several volunteer donors in the bone marrow registries. These are the patients who are suffering from diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, other metabolic diseases or genetic diseases of the immune and blood system.</p>
<p>Cord blood is a proven source of stem cells, which unlike bone marrow, can be safely collected from mothers and babies and when properly stored and frozen, can be usable for many years. One distinct advantage of cord blood transplantation over bone marrow transplantation is that it doesn&#8217;t need to exactly match a certain tissue type. Patients with uncommon tissue types like in the case of many ethnic minority individuals can find matches for their types. </p>
<p>But is likewise known that recipients of better-matched grafts recover faster and better and this is one of the main purposes of Rep. Smith&#8217;s bill - to create a larger cord blood inventory that would mean better matches and better transplant survival for the patient.</p>
<p>With the impending approval of this bill, long suffering patients waiting for bone marrow transplants now have another, a much better option which is cord blood transplant. The urgent demand for cord blood caused by an upsurge in cord blood transplants for various diseases has spawned a number of cord blood banks. Cord blood registry on the other hand has provided the ground rules needed for the strict regulation, observation and monitoring of various private and public blood cord banks.</p>
<p>A noted increase in the number of parents who registered to have their child&#8217;s cord blood collected and catalogued either though public or non-profit private cord banks or through private, profit-oriented blood cord banks has been noted especially in Europe and in USA. Blood cord registry and enrollment process is a simple procedure. Payment schemes are usually staggered from 6 months to a year in easy, flexible terms- these are done to encourage a lot of parents to register.</p>
<p>Transplanting blood stem rich in blood-producing cells into the patient&#8217;s bone marrow can treat leukemia. There are three sources of stem cells that are being used for transplants; these are bone marrow, the circulating blood, and umbilical cord blood.</p>
<p>In the process of transplanting blood stem cells, the leukemia patient is initially given a treatment of chemotherapy to wipe out the patient&#8217;s leukemia cells and his immune system. After which blood stem cells are transplanted into the patient&#8217;s blood to restore the patient&#8217;s immune system and have healthy blood cell production. </p>
<p>Two types of blood stem cell transplants that are used to treat patients with Leukemia are: <br />1) Autologous blood stem cell transplants which use the patient&#8217;s own blood stem cells. <br />2) Allogeneic blood stem cell transplants, which use the blood stem cells of a donor. </p>
<p>Blood cord transplant is the alternative choice; the safer choice compared vis-a-vis bone marrow transplant. It is, an answer to a new life, a better tomorrow for patients longing for a healthier future. </p>
<p>
&#8211;About&#8211;<br />For more information on cord blood banking, visit <a href="http://www.blood-cord-bank.com">Blood Cord Bank</a>.<br />
 Source: <a href='http://www.articletrader.com/health/blood-cord-banking.html'>ArticleTrader.com</a>
</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-banking.html/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cord blood Accreditation.</title>
		<link>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/cord-blood-accreditation.html</link>
		<comments>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/cord-blood-accreditation.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cord Blood Researcher</dc:creator>
		
		<category>Cord Blood</category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you have decided that you want to store the blood from your baby&#8217;s umbilical cord it is an important step to compare cord blood banks in a bid to make sure that you select the correct organization. 
You would be forgiven for thinking that all of the organizations offer the same things, but some [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you have decided that you want to store the blood from your baby&#8217;s umbilical cord it is an important step to compare cord blood banks in a bid to make sure that you select the correct organization. </p>
<p>You would be forgiven for thinking that all of the organizations offer the same things, but some companies offer more than other companies. There are a number of things you should consider before making the all-important final decision; these factors include accreditation, experience, knowledge and financial security. This choice, though, is one pro of stem cells and the research being conducted on them.</p>
<p>When you begin to compare cord blood banks one of the first things you may notice is that some of them are accredited while others are not. Accreditation is voluntary but being accredited by the AABB means that the company you are considering has high standards with regards to most of the factors you will look at yourself. </p>
<p><b>Experience.</b></p>
<p>The use of stem cell transplants is quite a new technique, however, successful cord blood transfusions have taken place and this means that there are organizations that have successfully stored and eventually used the cord blood in question. It may seem unfair to judge a company just because they haven&#8217;t had the opportunity to prove that there systems, technique and facilities are up to scratch but the fact remains that if your child needs the use of their cord blood in ten years time you want to be absolutely certain that the company you have entrusted with this will be able to unfreeze the blood and find that it has retained it&#8217;s potency. Some of the well established companies have 100% success rates with tens of previous cases. This is a statistic not be taken lightly.</p>
<p><b>Knowledge.</b></p>
<p>One factor that you might overlook when trying to compare cord blood banks is whether the company in question dedicate any or enough money to funding further research. In the case of many banks, funding is primarily used to research advances in storage techniques and the techniques in which the blood is transported and prepared for use. If a company does not invest enough money in this then they will eventually be left behind by the companies that do. Inevitably it is you, or indeed your children, who will suffer the consequences.</p>
<p><b>Financial security.</b></p>
<p>When investing time, money or your children&#8217;s cord blood in a company it is important that that company will still be in operation should the day arrive when you need the blood in question. If a company fails financially while your baby&#8217;s blood is stored in their facility then there is a reasonable chance that you will not be able to do anything about moving the blood. Once cord blood goes into storage it should not be removed and transported from location to location if it is at all possible to avoid this. You will be storing the umbilical cord blood for up to 15 years, and that&#8217;s only presuming that no further advances are made, so you need to be as sure as possible that the company will still be in operation in 15 years time.</p>
<p>By selecting a company that is affiliated to a large hospital or other organization you can afford yourself greater peace of mind that they will indeed still be around when the time comes to use the blood you have in storage. Many major hospitals do affiliate with some of the more famous and well established cord blood banks and for true peace of mind you should consider using one of these companies. This also offers you the benefit that that hospital in question will be willing to undertake a transfusion using that blood. </p>
<p><b>Donating cord blood.</b></p>
<p>Of course, money plays a part in any major decision of this kind and, unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t always possible to pick the company you would ideally settle on in other circumstances. In fact, the cost may add up to prove to be more than you can afford. In which case, you should not feel guilty about it, but you should instead consider donating the cord blood.</p>
<p>
&#8211;About&#8211;<br />For more information on cord blood banking, visit <a href="http://www.blood-cord-bank.com">Blood Cord Bank</a>.<br />
 Source: <a href='http://www.articletrader.com/health/cord-blood-accreditation.html'>ArticleTrader.com</a>
</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/cord-blood-accreditation.html/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Blood Cord Investing in Your Baby’s Future</title>
		<link>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-investing-in-your-babys-future.html</link>
		<comments>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-investing-in-your-babys-future.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cord Blood Researcher</dc:creator>
		
		<category>Cord Blood</category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We all know that blood saves lives, and most of us are familiar with the importance of donating blood when and if we can. As medical science has progressed, however, the ways in which blood can be donated, and even the types of blood it is possible to share, have increased, bringing with them a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We all know that blood saves lives, and most of us are familiar with the importance of donating blood when and if we can. As medical science has progressed, however, the ways in which blood can be donated, and even the types of blood it is possible to share, have increased, bringing with them a number of issues that society must debate. </p>
<p>All cultures have their own traditions surrounding the process of giving birth, and some of these involve the placenta and umbilical cord, used to allow the transfer of substances between mother and child before birth takes place. While some cultures espouse the ingestion of a mother’s placenta, western medicine has found another use for this organ, or at least for what is contained within. </p>
<p>The placenta and umbilical cord contain a type of blood that is rich with stem cells, which can be used to great benefit in patients suffering from a variety of immune disorders. The most widely known use of such cells is in bone marrow transplants, where patients suffering from cancer receive the bone marrow from a living donor, replacing the unhealthy blood cells of the patient for the life-saving ones of the voluntary donor. The process of bone marrow transplantation can, however, be time consuming, and finding an exact donor match can be difficult. </p>
<p>Cord blood contains a similar type of the stem cells that are found in bone marrow, but the way in which it is donated makes it more readily available for the patient in need. Cord blood, once tested for its suitability, can be stored in a special facility until it is needed – when it can be sent directly to the patient without enduring the time consuming search for a bone marrow donor. </p>
<p>Cord blood donation raises a number of issues. Public cord blood storage units are not always available to the parents who wish to donate their baby’s blood. While parents can choose to store the cord blood privately for their baby’s later use, this can be expensive, and raises the question of whether the blood should wait for someone who might never use it or be given immediately to a patient in need. </p>
<p>For the moment, this remains the choice of the parents, who can choose to save their baby’s cord blood, if they can afford to pay the price. Like all insurance policies, it might be one taken out with the hope that it never needs to be called in, but society continues to ask whether this is a policy whose benefits should be shared</p>
<p>
&#8211;About&#8211;<br />
Dave is the owner of http://www.cord-blood-services.info and http://www.cord-blood-research.info websites providing information on umbilical cord blood<br />
<br />
 Source: <a href='http://www.articletrader.com/health/blood-cord-investing-in-your-babys-future.html'>ArticleTrader.com</a>
</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-investing-in-your-babys-future.html/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cord Blood and its uses</title>
		<link>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/cord-blood-and-its-uses.html</link>
		<comments>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/cord-blood-and-its-uses.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cord Blood Researcher</dc:creator>
		
		<category>Cord Blood</category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Cord blood is the blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of the child and is collected after the cord has been cut off. The umbilical cord is routinely discarded with the placenta after a child is born. It is also called placental blood. Cord blood has lots of blood producing [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Cord blood is the blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of the child and is collected after the cord has been cut off. The umbilical cord is routinely discarded with the placenta after a child is born. It is also called placental blood. Cord blood has lots of blood producing stem cells which can be frozen and later used for transplants. Cord blood is genetically unique to the child and the family. Now researchers have found that it can be used to treat many diseases. </p>
<p>Cord blood is now used as an alternative to bone marrow transplant when in future if the child or his family is diagnosed with cancers such as  leukemia, lymphoma and other disorders of the blood-making system, such as sickle-cell anemia; severe immune-system disorders; and genetic defects affecting the blood-making system. Researchers are further studying the use of cord blood for the treatment of different types of diseases like arthritis, spinal cord damage, stroke diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, Purkinje cell degeneration, Duchenne&#8217;s muscular dystrophy, heart disease, and vision and hearing loss, Parkinson’s disease, burns osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.</p>
<p>All stem cells—regardless of their source—have three general properties: they are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods; they are unspecialized; and they can give rise to specialized cell types. The cord blood contains blood-producing hematopoietic stem cells as well as mesenchymal stem cells. Hematopoietic stem cells have the ability to generate: three major types of brain cells (neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes); skeletal muscle cells; cardiac muscle cells; and liver cells.<br />
<br />Mesenchymal stem cells can create various tissues in the body such as cartilage, bone, muscle, tendon, ligament and fat.</p>
<p>Cord blood transplants have become a strong alternative to bone marrow transplants. Cord blood is easier to collect than traditional bone marrow donation and it is not painful to extract, doesn’t require invasive surgery. It is extremely difficult to find a suitable donor for a marrow transplant because six HLAs, or human lymphocyte antigens, a group of proteins in bone marrow cells that can provoke an immune response, need to match or a perfect match is required. In cord blood transplant only three HLAs loci need to match. So in cord blood there is more opportunity for transplant to siblings, parents and grandparents. Cord blood has 10 times more blood-making cells concentrated in it than bone marrow. </p>
<p>Worldwide thousands of successful cord blood stem cell transplants have been performed in the past decade.</p>
<p>
&#8211;About&#8211;</p>
<p>  Anita cherry is a health enthusiast who offers informative tips on health. For more information of your health and chemical free products and multi level marketing visit <a href='http://www.healthinfoforyou.com/a/real_organic.htm' target='_blank' class='navigation'>http://www.healthinfoforyou.com/a/real_organic.htm</a>You can reprint this article on your website as long as you do not modify any of the content, and include our resource box as listed above with all links intact and hyperlinked properly </p>
<p>
 Source: <a href='http://www.articletrader.com/health/diabetes/cord-blood-and-its-uses.html'>ArticleTrader.com</a>
</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/cord-blood-and-its-uses.html/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Debate on Cord Blood Banking.</title>
		<link>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/the-debate-on-cord-blood-banking.html</link>
		<comments>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/the-debate-on-cord-blood-banking.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cord Blood Researcher</dc:creator>
		
		<category>Cord Blood</category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many debates have sprung up on cord blood banking in relation to its supposed significance and medical benefit, with the pros and cons to the issue. These debates are well represented by its accusers and defenders.
Cord blood banking process immediately starts after the birth of a newborn child; the residual blood is collected from the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Many debates have sprung up on cord blood banking in relation to its supposed significance and medical benefit, with the pros and cons to the issue. These debates are well represented by its accusers and defenders.</p>
<p>Cord blood banking process immediately starts after the birth of a newborn child; the residual blood is collected from the umbilical cord and the placenta and placed in sterilized, sealed containers. It is a simple and safe procedure that poses no health risks to both mother and child. Cord blood can be collected both from normal and caesarian birth deliveries. </p>
<p>Upon collection, the cord blood is frozen, stored and kept in liquid nitrogen with a temperature of negative 196. Celsius (-196 C). The preserved cord blood has a shelf life of up to 15 years in which in can still be usable for transplantation. </p>
<p>But before freezing and storage, the cord blood units must be thoroughly screened and checked for any signs of infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis among others.</p>
<p>As cord blood banking is relatively new, which started in 1995, conclusive proof as to its medical beneficial use is still to be widely proven. But as proof of its growing popularity, many blood cord banks have been created especially in Europe and the Americas. Though the years a sizable increase in the number of couples banking their child&#8217;s cord blood was noted. The trend in turn churned out numerous cord blood banking companies into fore. Before there were simple blood banks, now it&#8217;s saving with a difference. Cord Blood Banking, it&#8217;s the wave of the future!</p>
<p>Cord blood banking has two kinds: private and public cord banks. Around 75% of the total cord blood banks found worldwide are public or non-profit which are for public service and survive through donations. Numerous public blood cord banks accept donations for use by the needing public; donated cord blood though is lost to the original blood source forever.</p>
<p>On the other hand, private blood cord banks, which comprise 25% of the total cord blood banks, charge more or less $2,000.00 to bank cord blood for their customers&#8217; private use.</p>
<p>Cord blood banks number around 100 to date worldwide, mostly in Europe , USA and Canada. A few exist in Asia and Australia and none in Africa. It is easier for white patients to avail of cord blood in banks compared with blacks or Asians since most cord blood banks are in Western countries.</p>
<p>The cord blood banks have set up a network wherein they communicate and at the same time exchange blood samples. Through a system of cooperation, they enhance their network&#8217;s system of donors and recipients. Due to the increasing proliferation of cord blood banks in Europe and the Americans, many sectors have called for government regulation and monitoring for strict compliance of safety and preservation methods on the same level as with traditional blood banks. </p>
<p>For the public safety, national and federal government regulators should consider drafting and creating the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) when it comes to cord blood bank operations. Legislation, regulation and monitoring are needed at the soonest possible time to assure quality safety standards in existing and in future blood cord banks. Cord Blood Banking is definitely the wave of the future. Saving with a difference. </p>
<p>&#8211;About&#8211;<br />For more information on cord blood banking, visit <a href="http://www.blood-cord-bank.com">Blood Cord Bank</a>.<br />
 Source: <a href='http://www.articletrader.com/health/the-debate-on-cord-blood-banking.html'>ArticleTrader.com</a>
</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/the-debate-on-cord-blood-banking.html/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Blood Cord Banking: New Blood for New Life</title>
		<link>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-banking-new-blood-for-new-life.html</link>
		<comments>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-banking-new-blood-for-new-life.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cord Blood Researcher</dc:creator>
		
		<category>Cord Blood</category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When blood cord banking came into existence, hope for new medical possibilities came to be. An alternative has been opened, a new, better choice for our health needs. Blood cord banking or cord blood banking is a relatively new addition in the medical realm. 
Blood cord banking is the process of preserving blood from a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When blood cord banking came into existence, hope for new medical possibilities came to be. An alternative has been opened, a new, better choice for our health needs. Blood cord banking or cord blood banking is a relatively new addition in the medical realm. </p>
<p>Blood cord banking is the process of preserving blood from a new born baby&#8217;s umbilical cord and placenta. The concept of blood cord banking starts immediately as soon as a mother gives birth, the blood in the umbilical cord and placenta is immediately preserved through freezing and kept in a depository until such time in the future as when that same baby, all grown up, will be needing, if ever, a transplant of the bone marrow or for treatment of leukemia or Fanconi&#8217;s Anemia.</p>
<p>As the blood cord banking concept is still in its infancy stage, starting just in the mid 90s, research and studies on the subject have still to positively conclude its full medicinal benefits. </p>
<p>Despite of this however, many blood cord banks have come into existence since transplants of umbilical blood cord have been successful in the treatment of diseases of the immune and blood systems. Leukemia and Fanconi&#8217;s Anemia are just some of the diseases treated by umbilical cord blood. In Fanconi&#8217;s Anemia alone, 2000 patients have undergone this procedure.</p>
<p>Formerly viewed as birth medicinal waste, umbilical cord blood due to its high demand, is now a valuable commodity because it is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, progenitor cells that produce red blood cells, it also has white blood cells and platelets. </p>
<p>Umbilical cord blood is abundant in blood cells that are proven to restock the bone marrow. It is proven that blood cord is rich in stem cells that rejuvenate the bone marrow. Stem cells form part of our body&#8217;s blood and immune system and they have the capability to rejuvenate the other cells in our body&#8217;s system thus can be a potent cure versus the dreaded cancer diseases that wreak havoc on man. Blood cord banking is like a new blood for a new life for man.</p>
<p>Many parents have started banking their new borne children&#8217;s umbilical cord, doubling in number every year. As a result, more and more blood cord banking companies have come into existence. Cord Blood donation is likewise medically safe, posing no risks to the health of the mother and the infant. Collection of the blood cord does not harm you or your baby since the process is done after you have given birth.</p>
<p>You as an expectant parent should weigh the choices you have, would you bank your newborn&#8217;s cord blood? Or should you not? Do the long term medical benefits that you are even not assured of needing in the future far outweigh the reality of the current high costs of preserving and banking your child&#8217;s cord blood? </p>
<p>You know, its not remote that scientists researching on its usefulness will discover more cures for cord blood for other diseases. The procedure of collecting cord blood is simple and painless for both you and your infant and likewise there are no health risks involved. There are many public blood cord banks that accept donations for use by the public, donated cord blood is lost to the donor forever. Private, for-profit blood cord banks however charge an average of $2,000.00 to collect and preserve the umbilical cord blood for possible use of the child or family in the future.</p>
<p>&#8211;About&#8211;<br />For more information on cord blood banking, visit <a href="http://www.blood-cord-bank.com">Blood Cord Bank</a>.<br />
 Source: <a href='http://www.articletrader.com/health/blood-cord-banking-new-blood-for-new-life.html'>ArticleTrader.com</a>
</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://cryocord.info/cordblood/blood-cord-banking-new-blood-for-new-life.html/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

