We never want to think about our kids ever getting sick. But, what happens if they do? Would you be prepared to handle things, or would you have added protection or treatment options like using cord blood to treat their illness? For my family, we opted to bank both of our daughters cord blood, for that added sense of protection. Just like medical, vision and dental insurance, banking your child's cord blood offers another form of insurance for your child, in case the need ever arises and they could benefit from it. Hopefully, you will never have to use this banked cord blood, but if you did, just knowing it was there, makes all the difference in the world.
To bank or not to bank?
"Cord blood stem cells, found in the umbilical cord, have been used in the treatment of more than 80 conditions and are currently being evaluated in FDA-regulated clinical trials for their potential regenerative ability in common health issues including autism, cerebral palsy, pediatric stroke and traumatic brain injury. Yet, the vast majority of umbilical cords are discarded at birth because parents may not know their value or are not fully aware of their options for preserving this medical resource. In fact, less than ten percent of parents choose to bank their child’s cord blood today.
Cord Blood Registry, the world’s largest family cord blood bank, and the first and only newborn stem cell bank to pioneer FDA-regulated clinical trials with leading medical centers, has created a guide to help parents learn if cord blood banking is right for them.
- Consider the future: Regenerative medicine is a new approach to treatment focused on promoting normal function in the human body through cell based therapies in which stem cells play a vital role. In fact, many believe that regenerative medicine will revolutionize healthcare. Emerging research suggest that stem cells from cord blood have advantages over other stem cell sources in regenerative therapies. The clinical use of stem cells has grown each year, increasing the likelihood that you or a member of your family could benefit from the newborn stem cells you bank.
- Know your family history: Does your family have a history of illnesses for which newborn stem cells are currently being used or studied? Do those health conditions run in families? If so, you may well benefit from banking cord blood for the conditions treated today, but importantly, for conditions that are currently being studied through clinical research.
- Know your options: The primary options for cord blood banking are to store your stem cells with a family bank or to donate to a public bank. Family banking offers parents storage for cord blood stem cells for the family's exclusive use. This typically includes a one-time processing fee and annual storage fees but gives parents access to these stem cells if needed. Free family banking is available through Cord Blood Registry for families with a medical need. Investigate your options for family banking as not all cord blood banks store cord blood in the same manner or offer the same services.Public donation lets parents donate stem cells at no cost to possibly help someone in need. While you may be able to access your donation if you need it, there is no guarantee that your donation will be available to you.
- Talk to your doctor: If you think cord blood banking is something you’d like to do, it is important to discuss it with your physician or childbirth educator. They will help you sort through your options and will also work with you to ensure you have what is needed at the time of delivery for a smooth collection.
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The other day I watched a video about a mom named Shelly, whose 1 yr. old daughter was found to have a cancerous brain tumor. Luckily it was surrounded by benign tumors, so her daughter didn't need chemo or radiation -- just surgery to remove. But, then the unexpected happened -- her daughter returned home and had a stroke. Limited in their options for treatment, Shelly started off with in-hospital intensive therapy to try and reteach skills to her daughter. Then, she remembered she had cord blood banked and reinfused the stem cells from the cord blood back into her daughter. Since, Shelly has seen vast improvement with her daughter as it relates to the effects of the stroke. While Shelly still works daily to rehabilitate her daughter, she still has the option of reinfusing with more stem cells from the 25% remaining banked cord blood. If you want to watch this moving video, click here now: http://www.cordblood.com/benefits-cord-blood/our-clients-their-stories/cord-blood-banking-reviews/stroke-treatment-options.
One of the main reasons we decided to bank our daughters' cord blood was because of my own history of cancer, on top of autoimmune disorders. The last thing I ever want to think about or see my daughters go through is something like cancer. Having a family history of cancers different from what I have, I always worry about this. But, there is peace of mind when I think about the steps we are taking to be prepared if ever the need arises, which knock on wood, I pray never comes. Cord blood banking was not around back when I was born. If it had been, I am not sure my parents would have been able to financially be able to bank it. If they had, would it have helped with my cancer, or the cancer of other family members? While there are many "what if?," I do know that the research will continue to show the benefits of stem cells from banked cord blood in regenerating healthy cells.
I know many people have differing views on cord blood and its benefits. This is one reason why cord blood banking is not talked about more, or suggested by doctors for expectant parents. For me, I only heard about it through a handout stuffed in folder given to me at the OB office when I was told I was pregnant with our first daughter. During my whole pregnancy, no one ever talked to me one on one about the benefits of banking their blood. My husband and I took it upon ourselves to research the benefits, call and get answers to our questions, and ultimately enroll and file the appropriate paperwork to have our daughters cord blood banked come delivery day.
After hearing Shelly's moving story about how cord blood banking benefited her daughter, I am thankful my husband and I talked about cord blood banking, and chose to bank our daughter's cord blood, as another means of insurance when it comes to their health.
If you feel this is the right thing for your family, or want to share with family or friends who are expecting, then check out the Cord Blood Registry website here: www.cordblood.com.
If you feel this is the right thing for your family, or want to share with family or friends who are expecting, then check out the Cord Blood Registry website here: www.cordblood.com.
Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for the Cord Blood Registry. I received promotional item to thank me for my participation.
i wish i did this when i had my daughter!
ReplyDelete-stephanie j