Find Us On
A Gift of Love, the Gift of Life: An Enduring Sibling Connection
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
Click the image above to listen to the Podcast
It’s nearly impossible to understand how Traci and Kevin felt when they learned that their son, Nicholas, only 2 ½ years old, was diagnosed with leukemia. Doctors told Traci and Kevin that the best course of treatment for Nicholas was chemotherapy. In Nick’s case, doctors recommended a 2 ½ year course of chemotherapy—a harsh protocol with plenty of side effects, but it carried a good chance for a successful outcome. A stem cell transplant was reserved as an option if Nick relapsed.
But when Nick’s oncologist learned that Traci was expecting while Nick was still receiving chemotherapy, the oncologist urged her to bank the baby’s cord blood as a possible source of stem cells for Nick should he ever need a transplant. The oncologist told Traci about the Sibling Connection, a unique partnership between ViaCord and the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI). The Sibling Connection provides ViaCord’s cord blood collection and storage for 5 years at no cost to expecting parents who have a child who may be in need of umbilical…
Categories: Current Treatments, Family Matters, Inside ViaCord
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