Leukemia and lymphoma baby boomers have new hope

A new ray of hope has been shown by doctors of Loyola University Hospital. Patients who are above sixty and suffering from chronic diseases like leukemia and lymphoma are considered ineligible for the umbilical cord blood stem cells transplant. However, according to Loyola hospital doctors, it can offer treatment to patients even in their sixties or early seventies. The reason quoted by the director of Loyola Cancer Center was that most of the aged people today are much concerned about their health. They do exercises, run marathons and therefore have developed the ability to live for a longer time period.

This is the reason that it is safe for them to receive a transplant of stem cells just like teenagers. The median age of patients when they suffer from blood cancer is 65 to 68. Those who have this cancer and undergo conventional surgical methods possess less than five percent survival rate for five years. However, in Loyola six out of seven patients who have undergone this cord blood stem cells transplants are showing better performance than expected. A fact that becomes integral to know at this point is the stem cell transplantation is very risky and an exhausting treatment. 

The patient is given chemotherapy and also radiation for the destruction of cancer cells.  This also damages the cells of immune system of the patient. For that, sufferer is induced with donor stem cells that further develop into immune system cells.  Beside these the body might also develop several infections until immune system gets developed completely.  Once immune system gets developed under some conditions, it might attack own body. This is called graft vs. host disease. As a result, several drugs are provided that further boost the risks of many infections. Donor cells are taken from bone marrow or from umbilical cord storage.

Cord blood transplant is considered safe on the baby boomers than bone marrow transplant. Only ten percent of people with cord transplant develop graft vs. host disease as compared to fifty percent with bone marrow. However, a small quantity of stem cells is derived form cord blood which further increases the time limit to develop immune system. The center is involved in a medical trial in which cord blood is sent to laboratory to double the stem cell count. Loyola has cured more than 3000 patients till now and is one of the largest donor programs in the whole world. It has performed above ninety transplants. Moreover, it is the center’s experience that decides the success rate of the transplant.

Fighting for high need of cord blood donation and organ donors

Every single person carries something to save the life of at least one individual. According to health officials, an effective solution for millions of people suffering from severe diseases is donation. If people start donating blood, organs and bone marrow, then it can be used to cure thousands of people afflicted by terrible syndromes. Moreover, stem cells extracted from umbilical cord blood collection also play a great role to heal many of the diseases.  The main point of concern here is the need of such donation is increasing. 

According to the U.S. health resources and services administration, about 110,324 people were still on waiting list for organ donation by February 10, 2011. The number was however 59,862 a decade before. Considering the significance of the matter, health officials urged people for cord blood donation and donate organs on the national donor day that is on 14^th February.  People were encouraged to fill out a donation card and register with their state. An ironical fact is that very few people are there who show interest for donation. 

The stem cells taken from bone marrow and cord blood are used for the treatment of some fatal diseases like leukemia, aplastic anemia, lymphoma and autoimmune disorders. It is only the whole donations that follow the obligation of public health. One of the major problems is however the lack of knowledge about the growing need of donation. Further mostly people have this belief that registering for donation process is very complicated, and lengthy.  It is especially true in case of umbilical cord blood donation. People are unaware about the donation of cord blood and normally it is discarded.

 Every woman should however decide to donate cord blood to help others. The only thing to be done is to sign a consent form and send to cheek swab. From there genetic code will be determined and registered. Due to no genetic match with the family members, sufferers need to check out the registry. This not only ends here. There are several misconceptions about donation. Some believe the process would be painful and so get scared to go. Some believe that  donation is against their religion, some consider themselves too old for this process while rest of the people have this view that doctors only need donation and will not care for their life. The reality is one can donate even at the age of 90 or 80. It is a great charity to donate something to help others.  

The power to regenerate

Recently it has been discovered that the stem cells have the power to regenerate. Moreover, it is rich in white blood cells. The stem cells can repair the dead and dying cells in the body. The undifferentiated cells, which can differentiate into specialized cell types, are called stem cells. Stem cells can be broadly divided into two parts, embryo stem cells and adult stem cells. Further, there are majorly three types of stem cells; they are Hematopoietic stem cells, Mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial stem cells.

All multi cellular organisms have Stem cells. The various sources of stem cells are umbilical cord blood, Bone marrow and many more. The umbilical cord blood has blood rich in stem cells. The stem cells can repair the dying or the dead cells. Many researchers are of the opinion that stem cell treatments will change the face of human disease and alleviate suffering very soon. Stem cells have the ability to self-renew and give rise to subsequent generations with variable degrees of differentiation capacities.

The blood from the umbilical cord is collected within 10 minutes from the birth. Parent need to inform the health center about donating the umbilical cord blood cell within 34^th week of the pregnancy. Once the blood is collected, it is tested and then preserved. The method of collecting the umbilical cord blood is absolutely painless. The blood may be used for public or private use. If the blood is donated, it is then preserved in the private bank. However if the blood is preserved for personal use it is then preserved in the private bank. This Cord Blood Stem Cell can save lives affected with Parkinson’s diseases, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s diseases, Cancer, Spinal Cord injury, diabetes and many more. The stem cells can repair the damaged tissues which forms the part of the vascular endothelial cells, which again forms the inner lining of the blood vessels. The blood containing high percentage of stem cell is rich in white blood cells and thus it helps in bone marrow transplantation.

The umbilical cord is commonly known as the birth cord or the funiculus umbilicalis, which connects the developing embryo to the placenta. This special cord supplies oxygen, nutrient rich blood to the fetus from the placenta. It is generally 50 cms long and 2 cms in diameter. The blood in the umbilical cord is rich in stem cells. The importance of stem cells is that it can regenerate the white blood cells. Hence, this blood is very useful for several diseases. Mainly it is used bone marrow transplantation as the blood in the umbilical cord is rich in white blood cells and it renews the cell.

The only problem with the umbilical cord blood is that few ethical groups have raised few questions as it involves destruction of human embryos. Though there are different other source of blood which is rich in Stem Cells. Even the menstrual blood is rich in Stem Cells.

Let’s stop throwing away the umbilical blood

Once parents start excepting a child, there are many things, which they need to plan. For example, the name, the room, the doctor and many more. Today out of all these, the most important thing, which parents plan, is if they require storing the umbilical cord blood or not. The reason t store the blood is very simple. A safe future is always wished by parents for their wards. Parent can store the blood for their child or for public use too. The Umbilical Cord Blood is rich in stem cells and stem cells are rich in white blood cells. The main feature of the stem cells is that it has the ability to regenerate itself. It simple language it is the building block of the body. The undifferentiated cells, which can differentiate into specialized cell types, are called stem cells.

The moment the baby is born the umbilical cord blood has to be collected. The mentionable fact is that the blood should be collected within 10 minutes from the birth. Once the blood is collected, it tested. If the test results are fine then several chemicals are added to preserve the same. The umbilical cord blood needs to be kept at a particular temperature, which is neither too high nor too low. It is very important to store this blood. This umbilical cord blood may be stored for general use or for personal use. If parent decide to store the blood for personal use then it is stored in the private bank. Around $ 1000 to $ 2000 is needed to store the blood at the private bank. Once the umbilical cord blood is stored at the private bank the link to the donor is maintained. The blood may be later used for the donor or any relatives too. The blood is used only with the permission of the donor’s parent. Once the donor is 18 years old then permission of the donor is required. If parent decide to donate the umbilical cord blood, then the blood is stored in the public bank. The link with the donor and the donated umbilical cord blood is lost. The public banks are supported by many medical organizations too. The umbilical cord blood is then used for anybody and everybody in need. There are health centers, which are helping more than 215000 parents since 1992 by storing the umbilical cord blood. As the invention is very young, till now it has been seen that the umbilical cord blood can be stored for 15 years. The number will definitely increase in the coming years. Umbilical cord blood banking is very vital. All the work done after the birth to collect the umbilical cord blood is done by the banks. Parents need to contact the umbilical cord blood banks on the 34^th week of pregnancy. While collecting this blood at least 75 ml of blood is required. Though is blood is too less for the treatment of an adult.

Preserve the cord blood privately for the days to come

The very concept of bank always put us in a peaceful tomorrow. A place where you deposit today and get the benefits tomorrow is usually understood by a bank. Today not only deposit and cares for you money. It preserves something which money cannot buy. When a baby is born, the blood in the umbilical cord, which is rich in stem cells, used to be thrown away. But the stem cells have a unique capacity to renew it. Hence, medical practitioners though that this blood which can regenerate the white cells can be used for several incurable diseases. It is a magical medicine for Bone marrow transplantation.

Within 10 minutes from the baby’s birth, the blood in the umbilical cord is collected and preserved. Around 75 ml of the blood is required. The blood is collected without giving any pain to the mother or the child. Now this blood is preserved by using different chemicals and in special bags. A particular temperature is used to store the blood. If the temperature is not correct, it results in damage of the blood cells. With the consent of the parents, this blood is stored in a Cord Blood bank. Now the blood can be stored for public or private use. If it is used for public then without the parent consent the blood is used when required. But if the cord blood is used for private then it is stored in a Private cord blood bank. Further, the blood is used only with the parents consent. In case the child becomes 18 years of age then the he/she is the owner of the cord blood. Further, the cord blood cannot be used without his/her consent. The blood may be used for any of the family member too. Unlike the public bank the Private cord blood bank does not get much support from the medical bodies. Private cord blood banks stores the blood very carefully to keep the link with the donor. The link is kept to retrieve it later. Private Banks charge an amount to preserve the cord blood. It has been heard that the private banks have been criticized for their marketing campaigns to preserve the umbilical cord blood. The private cord blood bank has to follow protocol to preserve the cord blood. Clients have the right to check the accreditation of the private cord blood bank.

It is required for all parents to store their child’s cord blood in a private bank. This blood may help anyone in the family. Main the compatibility with the sibling is always good. Hence, to prevent fatal diseases like leukemia, sickle cell anemia and even bone marrow transplantation. Different private bank charges different amount to preserve the cord blood. The service by the private blood bank is not free. However, the charge is billed to the patient’s insurance company.

Few modern researchers have proved that even if the process is a little expensive still parents should always be encouraged to preserve the cord blood for future.

A story about Raphaella

Hi, I am Cameron mother of Raphaella living in California. My entire family wishes Cryo Cell a good luck for providing such valuable and useful services to the people. Raphaella is my only son and we did not have any knowledge about such kind of services. Few days back, I listened from my friend about the benefits of Cryo Cell and we were delighted on hearing such great information. I did an extensive research on internet and found about everything about their services. The cord blood donation is a wonderful service and cord blood is actually a unique kind of blood which is often found in umbilical code during the delivery. I always pray to God about the lifelong good health of my child. Sometimes, situations are not in our hands and for that time if a child needs any kind of chemotherapy or radiations related therapy, it can work wonders.

It is my suggestion to all parents that they must donate cord blood to the cord blood bank in order to keep a safe side. One can donate cord blood in the private bank of Cryo Cell which they preserve for further use. It provides a sense of relaxation that cord blood is there which means a lot. I have kept umbilical cord blood in the blood bank of Cryo Cell and as told by doctors, the blood in umbilical cord can be used to treat more than 80 diseases. I am thankful to Cryo Blood Cell as I know that they have cord blood collection which we can use in future in case of any kind of emergency.

It is my request to do extensive research on these really wonderful services in order to gather more information about this. The cord blood of baby is highly rich in stem cells. The same stem cells are present in the bone marrow of human beings. Actually stem cells are also considered as master cells which help in producing mature cells in the immune system and in our blood. Therefore, it can be said that cord blood stem cells may easily be used to treat several kinds of diseases, even very acute diseases.

As I am satisfied, you can also be satisfied by using America’s most established family cord blood bank services. The research is still going to find more benefits of cord blood stem cells. The cord blood collection is a great source for your child’s health and you can remain without tension for entire life, just like me.