To our CBR Family,
With the holidays rapidly approaching, we would like to take a moment to wish you and your family a joyous and healthy holiday season. In this issue we will share with you some exciting news on the latest cord blood legislation. We will also showcase current clinical trials being conducted using stem cells to treat heart disease and heart attacks, as well as answer questions sent in by our clients. We hope you enjoy this issue of the client newsletter.
Thank you for trusting Cord Blood Registry. We look forward to continuing to provide the highest level of service for you and your family.
Warmest wishes,
Your friends at Cord Blood Registry
New Cord Blood Legislation Ensures Expectant Parents Know Their Options
Current legislative momentum continues to recognize the importance of educating expectant parents about their cord blood banking options. With the recent passage of
The Maternal and Child Health Advancement Act, California became one of a growing number of states to focus attention on the importance of educating all parents-to-be.
The Act will request a woman's primary prenatal provider to offer fair and balanced education early enough in her pregnancy that she can make an informed decision about cord blood banking. The California State Department of Health will also launch an awareness campaign that will include education on:
- Current and emerging uses of stored cord blood stem cells
- An explanation of the differences between public donation and family banking
- Family medical history criteria that can impact a family's consideration of cord blood banking
There are currently 14 other states which have passed cord blood legislation, or have legislation pending.
Read more
Stem Cell Science: Uncovering New Potential Uses for Stem Cells
Patients' Own Stem Cells May Treat Coronary
Disease,
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (10/10)
New research shows that patients' own stem cells may be able to be used in the treatment of coronary disease. The Pittsburgh-Tribune Review recently reported that the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) researchers are participating in a clinical trial to test the safety and gauge the promise of using injections of a patient's own stem cells to treat a severe form of coronary artery disease. UPMC plans to enroll 20 patients in the Phase II trial who suffer from chronic myocardial ischemia, a potentially fatal condition where the coronary arteries narrow and restrict the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
Read more
Heart Attack Victims To Be Given Own Stem Cells
Times Online UK (11/8)
Groundbreaking clinical trials are beginning at two London hospitals, with research focused on using patients' own stem cells to treat heart attack. In the trial, heart attack victims will be given a revolutionary new treatment involving an injection of their own stem cells to repair the organ damage that they have suffered.
Read more
Similar studies are identifying additional treatment areas such as diabetes which could potentially be treated with stem cells in the future. For the latest clinical information on stem cells,
visit our newsroom.
FAQ From our Clients
What updates do you have regarding your transplant experience?
At CBR, we just reached a new milestone with our 44th transplant to date. During the past two years alone, we have experienced the highest frequency of family banked cord blood samples used by the world's leading transplant institutions.
What is the longest amount of time that a stored sample at CBR has been used for transplant?
The cord blood sample used in our 42nd transplant had been stored for 9 ½ years, which to our knowledge is the longest recorded time that a stored cord blood sample has been used successfully. Currently, there is no known "expiration date" for the cells, and stem cells that have been properly processed and stored should remain viable indefinitely.
How many of CBR's cord blood samples have been used to treat the child for whom it was stored?
In September we had our 8th autologous transplant (stem cell therapy using a patient's own stem cells). This was our second transplant for the experimental treatment of cerebral palsy.
See a list of CBR transplants
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