After birth, the umbilical cord and placenta are usually discarded as waste. But, the umbilical cord holds something extremely precious—stem cells. These stem cells have become standard therapy for serious diseases such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and other immune system diseases (1). These stem cells are valuable because of their ability to develop into almost any type of cell in the body.
Parents have two cord blood banking options. The first option is preserving your child’s stem cells in a private bank so the cells are available for the family’s personal use. The initial fees range between $1000-$3000. There are also yearly storage fees. It is important that parents check to make sure the bank they use is approved by either The American Association of Blood Banking or the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy.
For more information:
To read a story in Chicago Parent about cord blood banking click below.http://chicagoparent.com/article.asp?aID=45694733.4463465.69784.1391522.2779592.647&aID2=5359
Comments
Wonderful article and I agree - we donated too :-)
I'm getting tired of people telling the masses what they must do. I also don't hold much respect for teachers. They are doing a terrible job in this country.
If anyone is expecting a baby and considering banking their baby's cord blood, here's a little financial incentive: $250 Coupon for Cord Blood Registry. Katy and I decided to bank our babies' cord blood because we figured that should they ever, God forbid, develop a condition that could be treated or cured with stem cells, their cord blood would provide the best source. Finding a good bone marrow match can be next to impossible, and adult stem cells currently only have limited uses. And we're not holding our hopes on embryonic stem cells, given the US government's current stance. Cord blood banking, for us, is sort of like life insurance for a horrible event, but with a happier ending: our child gets to live.
I'm posting the coupon code here for anyone who's expecting a baby and considering cord blood banking:
Call 1-888-227-2460
Or visit www.cordblood.com
Mention this code to receive your discount: M1971
www.enonprofits.org/cbr.html for a printable coupon
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