Cord Blood Stem Cells Information - Did you know cord blood can save lives?

Did you know cord blood can save lives?

Did you know that the ambilical cord blood can save lives of kids with cancer? Why is it not a mandatory question that mothers giving birth get asked? Is it an option anywhere in the world? & how can we let more people know this information? The stem cells taken from the ambilical cord can be grown to help grow what kids need to recover from lukemia. Some older children need twins cord blood, but in most younger childrens cases one is enough as long as it is of the right blood type and covers all the cross matching. We live in australia and it has become obvious to me that it it more well known about with in america, here in australia it is not so well known, i only found out by being in a bad situation and needing to spend time with people whom have children with cancer, this was a huge eye opener to me

Public Comments

yes, I saw the commercial.
oh realy thanks for telling
Yes, I knew that. It's too bad they make it so expensive- only rich parents can afford to bank it.
I believe they are asking you to save umbilical cord blood because they hope to find answers in the future, and that they don't have all the answers yet, they are still searching.
I heard there are a couple of places in Illinois that accept ambilical cord blood for research purposes. Not sure exactly where they are, though.
To save the cord is very expensive. Only the rich or well off can afford to do such a thing. You are right, every woman having a baby should be asked. I also think it shouldn't be so darn expensive, it should be affirdable to everyone.
I did know this. I am in Michigan and it was discussed with me during all three of my preganancies. I couldn't do it though due to complications in my pregnancies. It is also very expensive.
I think you would have to be pretty stupid not to be aware of it as much as it is advertised on TV. But the reason so many don't is the cost to keep it.. You have to pay for the hospitals to keep it for you. I am not sure of the cost now days. But I know years ago it was very expensive.
yes, i did
Stem cells from cord blood can be used much like a bone marrow transplant. There have been efforts to collect and save cord blood stem cells to establish a "Cord Bank" similar to a Blood Bank - that is available for whoever needs it. There are some ethical issues - who does the cord blood belong to? the mother or the child? Does the mother have the right to donate this when it should belong to the child? These were some of the issues a few years back. Sometimes one cord blood sample is not enough - but not sure it is successful to transplant cord blood from different individuals because of the risk of graft vs graft response. I am sure that studies are underway to learn more about this lifesaving product - but it's importance has been overlooked by politicians and scientists pursuing stem cells from aborted fetuses. My opinion is that they should spend a lot more time and money on cord blood research & not waste valuable time debating what is an issue that will take many years to resolve. Currently, a small amount (8-10 ml) of cord blood is collected after birth for a few tests on baby and the rest discarded.
THIS IS NOT A GENEALOGICAL QUESTION!
Really? but one can escape from death.
yes
yes i believe most people in the states are aware of umbilical cord blood banking and it's very positive effects. and i am sure that if we could all afford to bank our cord blood we'd do it but that is sadly not the case. preserving cord blood cells is not free and in fact very costly, averaging around $1000.00. this ofcourse is on top of the cost of already just having a baby!