The Stem Cell Source : cord blood awareness month

A Gift for Life

PublicAffairs — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:04:00 GMT

Many expecting parents are not aware of the medical value of stem cells from a newborn’s umbilical cord or the options for preserving them. That’s why July has been designated as Cord Blood Awareness Month by the National Health Information Center and a society of the American Hospital Association. If you don’t know the facts, check out the Cord Blood Education Center developed by CBR.

Many parents are also unaware that if you divide out the total cost of cord blood processing and annual storage at CBR for the first 18 years of a child’s life, banking a newborn’s cord blood costs less than a typical cell phone plan—about $18 per month.

But having a baby involves many costs – and they all hit the family budget at about the same time. That’s why this year during Cord Blood Awareness Month, we want to make expectant couples aware of a unique program that allows friends and families to contribute the entire cost of cord blood banking: The CBR Gift Registry.

Through The CBR Gift Registry, expectant parents can receive contributions toward both the initial collection and processing fees as well as the annual storage costs. Inviting friends and family members to contribute is easy: After you’ve enrolled in The CBR Gift Registry, you can send customized email announcements or print contribution cards to include in baby shower invitations.

Starting this month, parents can sign up for The CBR Gift Registry even before enrolling in CBR’s service. It’s a gift for life that your newborn won’t outgrow.

Getting Smart about Cord Blood Banking

PublicAffairs — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:47:00 GMT

July has been designated Cord Blood Awareness Month by the National Health Information Center and a society of the American Hospital Association, with the goal of educating others about the medical value of cord blood stem cells. To recognize the occasion, throughout the month we’ll be highlighting useful information and resources for parents who want to learn more about cord blood banking.

While awareness of the medical value of cord blood stem cells is on the rise, the need for more education remains. According to a 2006 study published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, three out of four expectant mothers who have heard of cord blood banking consider themselves minimally informed.

The need for greater education was the driving force behind the creation of the Cord Blood Education Center, an online program that informs expectant parents about their options for cord blood. Developed by CBR with input from healthcare providers, stem cell researchers and experts in public banking, the program describes all of the options available to expectant parents and is designed to give them access to information early enough in pregnancy so that they can make an informed choice about the storage, donation or disposal of their newborn’s cord blood stem cells.

Even if you are aware about cord blood stem cells, you may not know all of the facts. We invite you to take a moment to explore the Cord Blood Education Center and be sure to pass it on to others who can benefit from cord blood education.

July = Summer, Sun and Cord Blood Awareness

PublicAffairs — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:03:00 GMT

In addition to the time for family barbecues, summer vacations and Independence Day celebrations, July is also recognized as Cord Blood Awareness Month by a society of the American Hospital Association.

Despite emerging research exploring the use of cord blood stem cells to treat conditions such as brain injury, diabetes, hearing loss and heart defects, cord blood awareness is low. In fact, many pregnant women today don’t learn about the option to save their newborn’s cord blood. According to research published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 3 out of every 4 pregnant women consider themselves only “minimally informed.”

What’s important to know is that cord blood education is considered good health policy. In 2004, the Institute of Medicine recommended that all pregnant women should be educated about cord blood stem cells early enough in pregnancy that they can make an informed decision about the options to preserve these valuable cells. In the last few years, 16 states have passed laws supporting better cord blood education in line with the Institute’s guidance.

In honor of Cord Blood Awareness Month, you can help spread the word about the medical value of cord blood stem cells. While you’re enjoying the long summer days, take a moment to tell any expecting friends and family members about the importance of preserving these valuable cells. In doing so, you may empower others to make informed choices regarding their family’s future health.

Read CBR’s press release commemorating Cord Blood Awareness Month