CORD BLOOD AWARENESS MONTH
About National Cord Blood Awareness Month
"Since 1988, stem cells from umbilical cord blood have been used in research and to treat a number of diseases. Over the past few decades and increasing percentage of parents have been donating their children’s cord blood and/or enrolling in family banking in hopes that the stems cells from birth may be able to treat disease or save lives in the future.
Nearly 80 life-threatening diseases — from cancers to blood diseases to immune disorders — can be treated today using cord blood stem cells including pediatric transplants, cerebral palsy and Type 1 Diabetes. National Cord Blood Awareness Month is sponsored by Perkin Elmer through ViaCord and seeks to educate parents and consumers about the necessity to bank cord blood for themselves and the future of their family.
According to ViaCord, “The effectiveness of cord blood stem cell therapy depends on many factors, with one of the most important being stem cell matching. If a patient’s HLA markers exactly match those of the new stem cells being introduced, the patient’s body will readily accept the cells. If the HLA match is close but not perfect, chances are still favorable that the patient’s body will accept the cells. By storing cord blood from each child, parents can increase the chance of finding the best source for a match.”
Nearly 80 life-threatening diseases — from cancers to blood diseases to immune disorders — can be treated today using cord blood stem cells including pediatric transplants, cerebral palsy and Type 1 Diabetes. National Cord Blood Awareness Month is sponsored by Perkin Elmer through ViaCord and seeks to educate parents and consumers about the necessity to bank cord blood for themselves and the future of their family.
According to ViaCord, “The effectiveness of cord blood stem cell therapy depends on many factors, with one of the most important being stem cell matching. If a patient’s HLA markers exactly match those of the new stem cells being introduced, the patient’s body will readily accept the cells. If the HLA match is close but not perfect, chances are still favorable that the patient’s body will accept the cells. By storing cord blood from each child, parents can increase the chance of finding the best source for a match.”
PROMOTIONAL DETAILS
Event Sponsor:
Perkin Elmer
Videos
Images
Downloads
International Standards for Cord Blood
Parent Information Packet on Cord Blood
Cord Blood Brochure
