Why You Should Give a Thought to Cord Blood Stem Cell Banking?

The field of stem cell biology has advanced the most over the last decade and the advancing technologies offer unique promise of regenerative medicine applications. Even though the embryonic stem cell harvesting and research has been surrounded by the social controversies, cord blood banking has managed to gain acceptance worldwide. Umbilical cord blood (CB), as the name indicates, is the blood present in the umbilical cord and placenta of the new born. According to the scientific findings, this blood is a rich source of stem cells. If you have been thinking about the significance of stemcell banking, then let us explain. Stem cells, also known as master cells possess self-renewal capability, which means it can act as an internal repair system. Differentiation and unspecialized nature are some of the unique properties that make stem cells highly valuable. Until recently, these master cells were harvested from blood and bone marrow. But with the discovery of stem cell presence in umbilical cord blood tissue, researchers have been encouraging the banking of new-born’s CB.  

Newborn baby’s cord blood can be either stored at a private bank or donated through a public bank. If you are an expectant parent, then it is essential to think through decisions. You may spend some time in research in order to check out the benefits of private cord blood banking and public cord blood donation. Once you are clear about the advantages of umbilical cord blood tissue storage and banking, you may have a detailed discussion with your doctor and family members. Have a look at your family health history to check whether there are any inherited diseases or conditions. If you are contemplating with the idea of banking your newborn baby’s cord blood,then make it a point to explore more about the private facilities. Keep in mind that CB cells have a remarkable potential to save lives and it would be a big mistake to discard it.

Why Donate Cord Blood and Tissue?

Stem cell-rich blood present in the umbilical cord of a new born is termed as cord blood (CB). Until recently, this blood was discarded along with the placenta right after the child birth. But with the recent advancements and remarkable benefits of stem cell research, scientists have discovered its life saving potential. Cord blood stem cells can be used to treat more than 80 life-threatening diseases. It is also considered as a better alternative to bone marrow transplants. Moreover, the future perspectives of CB and umbilical cord tissue look bright and promising. And that is why new-born baby’s cord blood banking has been gaining wide acceptance over the past decade. If you are an expectant parent, then you might be faced with a challenging question – whether or not to bank your baby’s cord blood and tissue? For many, the answer depends on their family medical history, financial structure and personal preference. 

Most of the parents-to-be who can’t afford the higher costs of private cord blood banking may decide to discard the CB after the child birth. On the other hand, if you decide to donate the cord blood and umbilical cord tissue, then it can be a life-saving option for someone. Patients with leukemia, lymphoma or other debilitating conditions can be treated with the cord blood stem cell transplant. Donation of cord blood to a public bank is free. When you donate your newborn’s cord blood, it will be listed on the registry and provided to a patient who needs transplant quickly. 

If you have decided to donate your baby’s cord blood, then you need to discuss the same with your doctor. Go through the eligibility criteria for public cord blood donation and check whether you meet them. Find more information about the list of hospitals that are tied up with the public cord blood banks so that you can work through the enrolment process.

What is Cord Blood & Cord Tissue?

If you are an expectant parent, then you might be probably busy with a lot of planning such as meeting the doctor, discussing different health issues, setting up the nursery, planning the baby shower and more. But have you ever thought about banking your new-born’s cord blood? Most of us will agree that it is one of the rarely discussed topics. But having a detailed understanding about the medical benefits of cord blood (CB) can help you in taking informed decisions regarding its banking. First of all, let’s find out what cord blood is. As we all know umbilical cord connects a baby in the womb to its mother and provides him with oxygen and nutrients. And that is why umbilical cord is considered as the lifeline of developing embryo or foetus. Soon after the child birth, this cord is cut and discarded away. But now research has shown that the blood present in the baby’s cord contains adult stem cells. Umbilical cord blood tissue, being a rich source of stem cells can be collected and stored for several therapeutical applications and research purposes. 

Not just the blood present in the cord, but even the tissue of the umbilical cord is used in the field of stem cell research and regenerative medicine therapy. Collection ofcord blood and tissue is a quick and pain-less procedure carried out right after the child birth. But what exactly is the difference between cord blood and cord tissue? CB is a rich source of blood-forming cells or Haematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs), whereas umbilical cord tissue contains Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that can differentiate into a variety of cell types. Another notable difference is that while cord blood has been used for treating more than 80 diseases, cord tissue is only available in clinical trials at this point of time. But according to the researchers, the future of cord tissue stem cell based therapy looks bright and promising. Expectant parents who wish to reap the therapeutical benefits of CB may consider banking it. Those who can’t afford the higher cord blood banking prices can also donate their new-born’s cord blood.

Why Donate Cord Blood & Tissue?

Stem cells, also known as ‘master cells’ are not only used for research purposes but are also used for clinical practices. Some of the major physical conditions that can be treated with stem cell transplants include cancers, blood disorders, congenital metabolic disorders and immunodeficiency disorders. Benefits of stem cell research are many and that is why researchers have been encouraging the storage and preservation of cord blood cells and tissues.

You can either store your newborn’s cord blood in a reliable private bank offering family cord blood services or donate it to a public bank. CB given to a private bank is processed and frozen in cryogenic storage tanks for long-term preservation. Storing the umbilical cord blood tissue can cost you a pretty penny, whereas donating the CB to a public bank is free. If you can’t afford the expensive costs of private family cord blood banking services, then it is advised to donate it rather than throwing it away. Cancer patients who need stem cell transplants might be looking for a donor and they rely on the public bank donations. Your donation to the public cord blood bank can be a life-saving match for cancer patients and can give them a second chance at life. 

If you have decided to donate your baby’s cord blood and cord blood tissue, then it is important for you to sign up for the process in between the 28^th and 34^th week of pregnancy. Speak with your doctor for availing more information and guidance. Public cord blood banks have several set of guidelines and eligibility criteria. Go through the details before signing up for the donation. Moreover, you need to submit a consent form and also complete a questionnaire about your maternal and family health. Last but not the least, your blood sample will be collected and screened for infectious diseases in order to ensure the safety of transplant patients.

Benefits of Stem Cells You Need to Know

All of you might have heard about the stem cell research and treatments, right? Being the master cells of human body, stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into any type of cell. Even though stem cells are unspecialized, they can produce specialized cells. Moreover, these master cells have the capability of dividing and renewing themselves for a prolonged period of time. Such special attributes and unique features of stem cells offer the vast potential to treat a number of diseases and disorders. Stem cells can be collected from embryos, bone marrow, amniotic fluid, teeth, umbilical cord blood, placenta and umbilical cord blood tissue. Though embryonic stem cell harvesting and research has been surrounded by a lot of ethical, legal and social controversies, umbilical cord blood tissue stem cell banking has gained wide acceptance.

Medical researchers and scientists have been working hard for making the most out of the unique properties and remarkable benefits of stem cells. New therapeutic applications for these master cells are discovered every day and that is why the future possibilities of stem cell therapy looks bright for treating a number of debilitating medical conditions. Currently, stem cells are used to treat more than 80 diseases which include numerous types of malignancies, anemia’s, inherited metabolic disorders and deficiencies of the immune system. With several clinical trials and studies underway, researchers believe that stem cell treatments and regenerative medicine therapy can revolutionize the future of medicine. 

If you are an expectant parent who is well aware about the incredible benefits of stem cells therapies, then you should  consider banking your newborn’s cord blood. Harvesting the umbilical cord blood and tissue is a non-invasive and painless procedure that poses no harm to the mother or the child. Newborn’s umbilical cord blood banking may prove as a rich source of life-saving treatment not only for your child but also for your family members in the future.

3 Things to Discuss with Your Partner about Family Cord Blood Banking

Cord blood banking has been gaining immense popularity these days. If you are an expecting mom, then you would have heard a lot about the cord blood and the advanced stem cell banking facilities. What exactly is cord blood (CB)? Why you should even think about saving it? There might be a several set of questions running through your mind. So you and your partner need to discuss about the importance of cord blood banking and decide whether or not to bank it.  You can also seek advice and suggestions from your physician. Here are a few steps that you can follow to come up with a good decision. 

1. Get the facts straight: Make it a point to get the accurate information about the umbilical cord tissue and blood banking services. Discuss the details with your partner and make sure he gets a clear understanding of what it is all about. Explain how the cord blood is collected and why it is a harmless procedure. Moreover, make him aware about the remarkable advantages of donating or banking the CB.
2. Weigh the pros and cons: Once your partner is clear about the importance and advancements of the adult stem cell banking, it is time to decide whether you should think about banking your newborn’s cord blood or not. Analyse the medical history  of both yours and your partners. Keep in mind that cord blood stem cells have the potential to treat more than 80 diseases and it also includes genetically inherited disorders. 
3. Review the costs: Assuming that you are interested to save the umbilical cord tissue and blood, the next step is to discuss about the costs required for banking the CB.  If you are planning to rely on the services of  private family cord blood banking, then you should briefly study about  their initial collection, processing and storage fees. On the contrary, you can also think about donating the CB to a public bank, which is free of cost.
    

These are some of the important factors you need to discuss with your partner for taking an informed decision regarding the family cord blood banking services.