Secure Your Child's Future With Stem Cells

http://www.cityjournal.in/Newspaper/20111214/Home/Home_2.html

Unsanitary biological waste like the umbilical cord and cord blood and even the menstrual blood could render a new lease of life for your loved one. The stem cells from this blood can be stored and used for treating many ailments, say experts.

Stem cells are the primal cells of the body. They are capable of regenerating or reproducing more than 200 types of tissues. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of call with a more specialised function- such as a muscle or a nerve cell.

Stem cells are basically derived from three sources- umbilical cord tissue, menstrual blood and bone marrow. The umbilical cord blood, which is the remaining blood in the newborn's cord and placenta, is also a rich source of stem cells. These stem cells can be used to treat over 75 critical ailments ranging from Osteoporosis, Thalasemia, Cerebral palsy, and even Leukemia.

When a couple decides to bank their child's stem cells, they should plan a few weeks in advance before the expected delivery date. At the time of the child's birth, the cord blood is collected and preservation consists of collecting the 'leftover' umbilical cord blood from the placenta and umbilical cord after the baby is delivered and the cord is cut. The umbilical cord and blood need to be collected within 10 minutes of the baby's birth.

Menstrual blood stem cell banking provides women with the unique opportunity to collect and preserve vital stem cells that can be harvested from the body's menstrual blood. It involves collection of stem cells from the first day of a woman's menstrual cycle. The collection of menstrual blood is painless and hassle free and can be done at home.

In both cases, the blood is sent to a bank where it is processed, sealed in a packet and preserved by freezing them in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196 degree Celsius. The menstrual stem cells are unique because, inspite of being adult cells, they have many properties similar to bone marrow and embryonic cells. Also cord blood can be collected only once but menstrual blood can be collected several times in a woman's lifespan.

"My twins were conceived after an IVF. Preserving their stem cells is the gift of health for the gem of my life," said Sunitha Thomas, from Thrissur. We do not know which disease can affect our baby at which time, so this is a kind of biological insurance, she said.

"While the cells extracted go a long way in treating a number of diseases, they also may help in treating diseases affecting family members who are genetically related to the donor, like a parent, sibling or a child," said centre head of LifeCell International Private Limited which helps preserve stems in Thrissur.

Gynecologists and upper middle class are have certainly absorbing the benefits of this technology. Kerala being a highly literate state, the potential for stem cell therapy is abundant, he said.

Celebrities who have banked their baby's stem cell

Actor Sanjay Dutt and wife Manyata have banked the stem cells of their twin babies.

Actor/director Farhan Akhtar and wife Adhuna

Actress Raveena Tandon and husband Thadani.

My main comment on this article is simply "THE TITLE SAYS IT ALL, SECURE YOUR CHILD'S FUTURE WITH STEM CELLS." Call it a "biological insurance policy", call it an "investment for your family", or even call it a "backup plan", regardless how you word it, this is a potentially life-saving decision a parent is making on behalf of not only that specific child but for other related family members. Anytime you are talking about doing a transplant whether it be an organ, blood or bone marrow, or stem cells like those collected from the umbilical cord blood or placenta, finding a MATCH is the KEY. You cannot have a transplant unless a suitable match is available. I try and reiterate that when you bank your child's cord blood, those stem cells are a 100% MATCH for that child and have a greater chance of being a match for relatives such as other siblings vs. finding a suitable match on a public registry or unrelated donor. Bottom line is that SAVING BABY'S CORD BLOOD SAVES LIVES!!!!...............MrCordBlood