News
Giving their baby a sporting chance
Proud parents of one year old Harper, Adine and Jeff Wilson, will become a family of four this January when their new baby arrives. Just as they did for Harper, the family has enrolled with CordBank to have their newborn’s cord blood collected and stored for future use. Cord blood is the blood that remains…
Cord blood may help premmies breathe easier
The scientific journal Cell Transplantation has 2 studies that have explored umbilical cord blood stem cells for lung and heart disorders. Both studies were conducted using animals so they are very preliminary, but they offer great potential for future treatments. In one study, researchers investigated the therapeutic benefits of transplanting human umbilical cord blood (UCB) mensenchymal…
Duke Studies New Approach in Fetal Transplants for Metabolic Disorders
October 19, 2009 – Researchers say a new development in cord blood transplants for inherited metabolic disorders may be curative for some babies who are treated while still in the womb. Joanne Kurtzberg, M.D., professor of pediatrics and pathology and director of the pediatric blood and marrow transplant program at Duke University Medical Center, says…
Cord blood banking – the natural choice for eco-conscious NZ parents
From choosing re-usable nappies to wooden toys, today’s expectant parents are conscious of the need to protect their baby’s health while they also look after the environment. “Environmentally-aware parents are telling us they want to provide their newborns with the natural protection provided by banking cord blood at birth”. “It’s a simple and sustainable way…
Parents see NZ as safe haven for cord blood banking
Since New Zealand was named the safest country in the world by the international Global Peace Index (GPI) in June, calls from expectant parents in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the US have risen dramatically. “We’ve had emails and calls from families in Denmark, Qatar, Singapore and Malaysia who have decided that whilst they…
Thinking ahead paid off for Barrett family
When 9-year-old Barrett Ross was born, his parents chose to save the blood from his umbilical cord – ignoring the genetic counselor who told them there was no need for the expense. There was nothing in the family’s background to indicate potential disease for the newborn, the counselor told the new parents. (Uninformed advice that…
Almost $1 billion invested in cord blood research last year
Over $938 million was invested in using cord blood stem cells to treat a whole host of illnesses and conditions in the US last year. Researchers are confident that these non-controversial stem cells will make a significant difference to the way that diseases and illnesses are treated in the future. Current research shows that stem…
Irish parents urged to sue hospital over refusal to collect cord blood
A leading stem cell biologist has urged Irish parents who are refused the right to collect their babies’ umbilical cord blood for storage as future medical use, to sue the hospitals if their children later develop diseases such as cerebral palsy, stroke, and type 1 diabetes which can be treated with cord blood. Professor Colin…
Expectant parents in NZ need to know more about cord blood benefits
Expectant parents need to know more about cord blood benefits. The founder of an international website dedicated to cord blood awareness has called for more education amongst expectant parents about cord blood banking, and launched a new information brochure to help spread knowledge. “I want all women to understand why cord blood must be preserved…