ViaCord: Important Facts To Know About Cord Blood Banking
“Working together to explore new uses for cord blood and cord tissue” ViaCord & Research Collaborations.
ViaCord: Important Facts To Know About Cord Blood Banking
ViaCord: Important Facts To Know About Cord Blood Banking
“This post is sponsored by ViaCord and BlogHer”
Are you familiar with the term Cord Blood Banking? What about ViaCord?
Recently, I attended a presentation on Cord blood stem cells research arranged by ViaCord. It was probably one of the most enlightening sessions I’ve attended to date. Even though I had a cursory knowledge of cord blood research, when I was pregnant with my twins, it was not a topic on my radar. So my answer would be “No!”, I was not familiar with both names. Did your ObGyn initiate a conversation about it when you were pregnant? Like many other moms, when I was pregnant, back in the early 1990s, I wasn’t aware of it and don’t recall it coming up in doctor visits with my ObGyn.
Granted, Cord Blood Banking was in its formative years and not every doctor knew enough to recommend it. I wish I knew then as I would have happily participated in it. The good thing about learning now is that I can inform other members of my large family, and even my own kids, so babies born within the family would benefit from this scientific breakthrough. By now, I bet you’d love to know more. Below are basic questions/answers to help you learn about it and make an informed decision when the time comes to have your baby.
What is Cord Blood?
As stated in ViaCord’s informational brochure, “Cord blood is the blood that remains in a newborn’s umbilical cord after birth, and the stem cells it contains have been used to help replace damaged blood cells with healthy ones, with the potential to strengthen the immune system.” So before your baby is born, you can discuss your options with your ObGyn, and give permission to collect this precious substance for your baby.
Who is ViaCord and what role do they play in disseminating information on Cord blood banking?
ViaCord is a well established and highly regarded private family cord blood bank that has, for over 20 years, provided families with high quality stem cell and tissue preservation service. As part of the PerkinElmer global company, which focuses on improving human and environmental health, ViaCord provides exceptional service and care to their patients, families, and their physicians. They collaborate with hospitals around the country, are dedicated to advancing studies on cord blood stem cells, and have the highest published treatment success rates out of any cord blood banking company. When you sign up with them you know you are in good hands.
“If one person reads our story and it gives them hope — if we inspire one person to hang on, then we’ve done something special.” The Byrd Family
ViaCord: Important Facts To Know About Cord Blood Banking
Why do families choose to bank?
With over 30,000 cord blood cell transplants/treatments worldwide to date4, cord blood stem cells have been used in the treatment of nearly 80 diseases2 and remain the fastest growing source of stem cells in pediatric transplants; its use for the treatment of a growing range of diseases has doubled since 2007 and continues to grow. The research potential is also growing. Research shows that “both cord blood and cord tissue are great sources of stem cells, which have the ability to heal damaged cells, tissues, organs, blood and the immune system.”
Why should you choose to preserve your baby’s cord blood?
It makes sense that if you have your newborn baby’s cord blood banked, and you/your baby has a marker for any of the 80 diseases treated by it, down the road if your child develops any symptoms, that banked cord blood would be a life saver. To date, the potential for successful treatment for pediatric diseases from using the cord blood stem cells has grown. So your decision to preserve your child’s cord blood can one day save his/her life.
How Cord Blood Stem Cells Are Collected | ViaCord
ViaCord: Important Facts To Know About Cord Blood Banking
How are Cord Blood Stem Cells collected?
Above is a video with Kate Falcon walking you through the steps on how it is collected. Some key points: the cord blood and cord tissue stem cells are collected at the time of your baby’s birth by your ObGyn or attending nurse and carefully packed, shipped and stored at a ViaCord facility. Your family has full access to the stem cells at anytime they need it for treatment, and the stored cells don’t expire. ViaCord has a special process they use that ensures your baby’s cord blood is not contaminated or misplaced.
What is the ViaCord Process?
At ViaCord, they take great pride in collecting, storing and caring for your baby’s stem cell. They provide a kit with an FDA approved bag to collect cord blood stem cells, then they pack it carefully and transport it, within 48 hours, to their laboratory in Hebron, KY. They use testing methods that are proven to be accurate and reliable to collect the stem cells; extracting stem cells from cord tissue before freezing. Their method saves 8 times the stem cells. Using a sophisticated freezer system, they have found their collections to be healthy even 25 years later. Whenever you are ready to use the stem cells, ViaCord is ready to move quickly to deliver it where needed.
more below!
“Our experience in umbilical cord blood transplantation has shown definitively that the single most important factor in ensuring a successful curative outcome is the number of cells that are infused at transplantation.” Mark Walters, MD
ViaCord: Important Facts To Know About Cord Blood Banking
What are some common misconceptions about Cord Blood Banking?
Cord blood banking only makes sense for families with a history of cancer. Not true. It is used in the treatment of nearly 80 other diseases.
Cord blood can’t be used for the child it was collected from – only a sibling. False. A child’s cord blood can be used.
I banked cord blood for one child, so I don’t need to bank for my other children. False. Since some health conditions can be child specific, it is wise to collect for all babies.
Stored cord blood has a limited shelf life. False. They are cryogenically stored and scientific studies show cord blood cells frozen nearly 25 years ago are still viable today.
Banking cord blood takes away beneficial blood away from the baby at delivery. Not entirely. It’s always best to talk to your doctor to find the option that’s best for you and your baby.
Cord blood isn’t used in medical treatments today. False. There have been more than 30,000 cord blood stem cell transplants performed in the treatment of nearly 80 diseases4. Additionally, cord blood transplants are used in 22% of all stem cell transplants and make up nearly 50% of pediatric transplants3.
Where is the research effort heading?
According to ViaCord, exciting things are happening in cord blood and cord tissue research. Right now researchers are conducting clinical trials looking at cord blood stem cells as potential treatments for diseases including autism, cerebral palsy and Type 1 diabetes. Additionally, while many researchers have been focused on cord blood, cord tissue has made meaningful advancements. These cells are being studied for their ability to potentially regenerate bone, cartilage, tendons and neurons.
ViaCord: Important Facts To Know About Cord Blood Banking
ViaCord: Important Facts To Know About Cord Blood Banking
What do you need to know/do if interested in the process?
What information do you wish to have while pregnant that would make your choices easier?
First off, have a conversation with your partner and ObGyn to determine if it is best for you/your baby. If you’d like more information on Cord Blood Banking, you can request a Free Information Kit from ViaCord. One thing I know for sure is that deciding to bank cord blood and cord tissue can be a lifesaver for your child. It can give parents peace of mind and the assurance that potential treatment options are available if they ever need them. For additional information from ViaCord, you may explore their Website, FAQs, and blog
PS. In case you are wondering about Pricing. I thought you’d like to know that ViaCord has reduced their fees by 40% and do have a payment arrangement. If you have any questions, do follow up with: their finance department at 800-991-2483. If you’re outside the United States, please call 617-914-3400.
If you have any questions, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you. Thank You!
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photographs: Images via ViaCord and My Personal Collection
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
I had considered doing this with my youngest and I do wish I had. There’s really a lot of benefits to cord blood banking.
There is a lot of benefit and also misinformation. I hope this helped a bit to clear the air.
So much great info here! I knew a bit about this before, but this was really helpful!! Thanks!
Great!. I appreciate your feedback, The goals is to spread the correct information.
We did not do this for our girls but I definitely thought about it. So much great information. It does sound like it would be the best decision to keep it.
I agree with you… I didn’t do it with my kids so it would be good for others to be informed.
This is an enlightening article for those who want to donate Cord Blood.
Thanks for the information. I am done having babies, but I’ll let mY friends know.
Yes, I’ve vaguely heard about this, but what worries me is that as usual only families that can afford it will benefit.
We raised this concern at the presentation and they are equally concerned that more women gain access to the service. They have reduced their fees by 40% and do offer a payment arrangement. I will add that note above. Thanks for bringing it up.
I looked into this, but it was just too expensive at the time.
I imagined that was the case when my kids were younger. As I mentioned above, ViaCord is equally concerned and has reduced their fees by 40%. I will add a quick photo and a link for those who wish to discuss it further. Thanks again for mentioning this important factor.
Wow! This is really informative info! I have a friend who went to Thailand for experimental stem cell research which was incredibly successful so I am a big supporter. Where did you get the idea to blog about this?
TY Souza! A group of bloggers were invited to attend a presentation on the subject. It was thorough and hugely informative.
Very cool! Thank you for sharing your findings!
Thank you for your quick reply! 🙂
Thanks for sharing the information – I am most interested in learning more about the emerging research associated with cord blood and diabetes & Alzheimer’s disease.
What a great resource of information!
We had considered cord blood banking and I really wish we had done it but by the time we got the info it was really too late to make a last minute decision.
I think there should be more information given out at hospitals about cord blood banking. I know with my children I did not even know about it. If I would have I am sure I would have chosen it as it could eventually save their lives.
I think this is interesting because we could never tell the future of our baby’s health, can we? I just worry about the risk or side effects it may have though.
We have a friend fighting neuroblastoma so we know how important stem cells are! I never even thought of banking any of my little ones cord blood.
And apparently I am too “old” to donate stem cells myself.
Whoda thunk 40 was old! LOL!
Thanks for all the info!
I have heard a lot about cord blood banking in recent years. It’s always fascinating to learn more about it and the opportunities it provides.
If this was cheaper back when I had my three kids I would have considered it. Ideally, it would have been great, but financially it was a burden at the time.
I hear you. I didn’t know enough about it to even choose when I was pregnant.
This is a very interesting medical process. thanks for the informative article.
I’m past those years, but I would seriously consider this if I were to have another child.
I had wanted to do this. However, at the time I could not afford it.
We have cord blood banking at Viacord for my daughter. What a great post.
This was interesting information. I wanted to do this with my children, but it did not happen.
I think it’s great that you’re raising awareness about this. It’s amazing what they’re doing with cord blood and stem cells these days.
I had no idea that Core Banking Blood was used treat 80 diseases. Great article – very interesting.
I really wanted to do this when my kids were born, but the price of storage kept me from doing it.
I just recently heard about cord blood banking. I wish I would have known about the benefits sooner
I wish there had been more known about this when my boys were born, I would definitely have taken advantage of it.
I was actually just thinking about this the other day as we’re talking about baby #3. I’m definitely going to look into it more!
We did this. So glad we did!
I really didn’t know much about this. Fascinating! Thank you so much for bringing awareness to this. We here about so much crap in the world…why don’t we hear more about the things that are life saving!
Couldn’t have said it better Danielle! We all need to listen to the good news channel more. TY! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing the info. We never did this for our first two kids but we’ve talked about this if we have a third.
Cord banking is complex and a huge thing. I was asked about this when I was pregnant and honestly, I still couldn’t decide about it.
Mhar Sefcik
This is something I looked into when I had my first son, but the price was WAY too high. My husband and I couldn’t afford that kind of money on top of all the costs of having a new baby and not to mention all the medial bills.
Good for you to have had the information… And yes, the price was an issues addressed by ViaCord. They reduced their price by 40% and are open to funding from generous sources.
Great info.. i do wish that we did save our kids cords, but we did nit..
Same with us… what we don’t know eh? 🙂
That’s important information I didn’t know about! I wish I knew about it when my baby was born.
I think that this is such a complicated topic. I don’t really know what I feel about it! I need to do more research!
Please visit the sponsor’s website as they have a lot of wonderful material and video for your perusal.
We didn’t bank either of our children’s cord blood. At the time it didn’t seem like a priority. Now, I’m really wishing we would have!
Same here… I had limited information on it and it didn’t seem like an issue to consider.
Thanks for sharing this info. We looked into it a bit when we had our first baby. Great info to keep
This is very interesting, wish I knew about this when I had my daughter.
I’ve always found cord banking to be so interesting. It seems like one of the best insurance policies you could have for your child’s future health.
I think so too… Of course, we need more people learning about it and more funding for those who can’t pay for it.
This is so interesting – there is so much to consider!
This is really great information. I really wanted to do this when we had our son but it was to expensive.
This scientific breakthrough is really amazing. I don’t think cord blood banking is already available with our local hospitals here. We’re already so left behind. 🙁
I don’t think so… It all depends on demand.
Cord blood banking is really amazing. It’s so incredible that what comes out of that cord could actually BE a lifeline again one day to a sick child.
my daughter and I were just talking about for when she starts her family. I learned a lot!
So they’re avoid the stemcell word because of lies spread via the media that scare people from it? Stem Cells are amazing parts of our bodies that need to be researched and studied!
And they are doing a lot of research and study as this could be, potentially, a huge way to cure diseases in the future.
Very interesting indeed. thanks for sharing.
I remember getting the pamphlets about this throughout my pregnancies. It was a bit overwhelming at the time.
Great information about cord blood banking. Thanks for the share.
Thanks for sharing this. I put this on my social site’s, to help new mother’s make that important decision.
I don’t have children and won’t be, so this topic was totally off my radar. I know it is a personal choice, but it seems like you can do so much by donating to help this research, procedures, etc. I hope raising awareness makes more and more people do it.
Exactly. Getting the word out will give moms an opportunity to consider it… We are spreading the word.
I signed up to learn more about cord blood banking. 😀 They tried to call me too and sent some emails. Oh well, i just got interested. Thanks for sharing what you know about them too.
Thank you for this. it was very informative!
I hadn’t even heard of cord blood banking until recently. Thanks for sharing about this very important topic.
This is an awesome post indeed. I totally believe in cord blood banking and am so glad more parents can do this now days. It can help so many. Thanks for sharing and getting the word out there on this topic.
WE are storing both of our boys cord blood with Via cord. It’s really a great company.
Very interesting read. I have never heard of this before.