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Viacord is AABB-accredited. What does that mean for you?
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
When you bank your baby’s cord blood, you want the best chances for a successful stem cell transplant. That’s why it’s important to ask the cord blood bank’s representative if their bank is fully accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). AABB accreditation is one indicator to ensure donors and clients that a cord blood bank is delivering a quality process—from collection to storage and, if necessary, transplantation. And since 2003, ViaCord has been proud to be AABB-accredited
Categories: Did You Hear?, Inside ViaCord
Cord Blood Banking: The Importance of Education
Friday, May 7th, 2010
As the science of stem cell medicine continues to advance, education and objective information about cord blood banking is more important than ever.Public and physician education around stem cells and cord blood banking is woefully inadequate. Many do not know what options are available to them, public or family banking. The Institute of Medicine and cord blood legislation in approximately 20 states call for Ob-GYNs to educate expecting families on the options for their newborn’s cord blood stem cells. Leaders in stem cell science, such as ViaCord, have a responsibility to bridge this gap by working with OB/GYNs who are the best source of information on cord blood banking. Moreover, education is a collective job for the entire industry, including family banks, public banks, research institutions and the medical community.
When considering options for your newborn’s cord blood, it’s important to understand the following:
Categories: Inside ViaCord, Trends in Healthcare
Marking an Important Milestone—150 Units Released!
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
Every time a cord blood unit leaves ViaCord for use – it’s a meaningful event. It represents the hope and potential of providing treatment for a family’s loved one. Recently, ViaCord marked the release of the 150th unit for therapeutic use. Recognizing this milestone is significant for many reasons:
Nearly 80 treatable diseases and growing
Research has made incredible progress, uncovering new and effective treatments for disease and chronic illness using cord blood stem cells. In the last 20 years, the number of diseases that can be treated with cord blood has grown significantly. In 1988, only one condition was treatable. Today, cord blood stem cells have been used successfully in the treatment of nearly 80 life-threatening diseases, including cancers, blood disorders and immunodeficiencies.
Emerging therapies – offering great hope and future promise
There is increased demand for cord blood units as a result of emerging treatments for such illnesses as cerebral palsy (see Lillian’s story ) and Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. It is believed that as research continues to expand uses for cord blood stem cells (read the recent CNN report on heart disease),…
Categories: Did You Hear?, Inside ViaCord
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
Welcome to the ViaCord Blog
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
Welcome to the ViaCord Blog where you’ll find an insider’s look at the cord blood industry and the future of stem cell research.
Did you know that clinical trials are taking place right now that are helping to advance the potential uses for cord blood in treating illness, disease and trauma? Or that ViaCord is collaborating with leading medical institutions to help advance medical uses of cord blood? There is so much to share about cord blood – medical advances, healthcare trends and inspiring family stories. We launched our blog as a way to share this news with you.
You will hear from the leaders at ViaCord, such as Morey Kraus , Chief Scientific Officer for our Research Institute, and Kate Falcon, Clinical Manager for ViaCord who coordinates cord blood units that leave ViaCord for transplantation, and Karen Foster, Vice-President of ViaCord’s Processing Laboratory. They will provide honest perspectives and candid insights.
Categories: Inside ViaCord