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September 23rd is Stem Cell Awareness Day!
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
For the millions of people around the world who suffer from incurable diseases and injury, Stem Cell Awareness Day is a day to celebrate the scientific advances made to-date and be hopeful of what is yet to come, according to the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) . And we’d have to say, we agree.
Stem cells from umbilical cord blood have been used in nearly 13,000 transplants worldwide during the last 20 years to treat nearly 80 diseases in adults and children. They are showing encouraging results in research for regenerative medicine, including treatment for diabetes and various forms of brain injury, such as cerebral palsy.
Despite all the great news about cord blood stem cells and the hope that they provide for the future, there still exists a critical education gap. According to a study published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine nearly 75% of expectant mothers in the study considered themselves “minimally informed” when it comes to cord blood banking.
Categories: Did You Hear?
My Monday Morning Pick-Me-Up
Monday, September 21st, 2009
I woke up this morning, tired from a busy weekend and hoping it could last just one more day. My sleepy self with coffee in hand, started in on the daily grind to find this message from a ViaCord client in my inbox. I can’t thank Laura J. enough for taking the time to share her “why we banked” story with us.
From Laura J…
“My husband and I chose to bank our daughter’s cord blood after we saw a heartbreaking flyer bearing the story of a young college student desperate for the funds needed to receive a life-saving stem cell transplant. The young woman didn’t only need a matching donor- she needed $250,000 for the medical procedures. We are young and don’t have much, but we knew this investment wouldn’t be wasted. We made the sacrifices to bank Evelyn’s cord blood because it is a priceless investment in our daughter’s health.
Categories: Inside ViaCord
The Promise of Stem Cell Research: A Podcast
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
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If you want to learn more about how researchers are using stem cells to advance human health, here is a great opportunity. Recently, Dan Marshak, Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of PerkinElmer, was interviewed for an installment in the podcast series: The Better Chronicles . Dr. Marshak is an expert on stem cells, and in this brief podcast, he talks about how stem cells are helping researchers uncover new ways to discover and identify pharmaceutical agents and determine their safety and efficacy in the treatment of disease. In particular, Dr. Marshak talks about research being conducted at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute , which may ultimately provide treatment options for spinal muscular atrophy, a debilitating disease which can leave infants and children without any motor control of their limbs.
Categories: Emerging Treatments, Trends in Healthcare