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National Children’s Leukemia Foundation CORD BLOOD BANKINGGiving the Gift of Life at BirthNews Flash! Become an NCLF Member to receive Discounted Rates for collection of cord blood and Free Storage for 18 years. The NCLF, in conjunction with Cord Blood America, is pleased to offer cord blood banking at a substantially discounted price ($1,725) that includes NCLF membership and 18 years of free storage. Contact the NCLF for more information at 800-448-3467 or info@leukemiafoundation.org. What is Cord Blood? Cord blood is another name for umbilical cord blood. It is the blood that flows between mother and fetus during pregnancy. After birth, the umbilical cord isn’t needed by the baby and is thrown away as medical waste. However, scientists now know that cord blood contains valuable cells that can be used to save the lives of cancer and leukemia patients. What kind of lifesaving cells are in cord blood? The lifesaving cells in cord blood are called “stem cells”. These cells are also present in adult bone marrow. Stem cells from adult bone marrow or cord blood are used in lifesaving transplants to replace cells that have been damaged by cancer or leukemia. How does cord blood banking save lives? Did you know that 70% of patients needing a stem cell transplant cannot find an adult donor match in their own family, and the chance of finding a non-related donor is even smaller? Thankfully, cord blood contains the same lifesaving stem cells found in adult bone marrow, but cord blood cells are less likely to be contaminated by viruses or environmental toxins than those found in adult bone marrow, making cord blood cells even safer and more effective in transplants. And, cord blood can be collected through a pain-free and non-invasive procedure at birth. “When I was told by physicians that my teenage son Meir had leukemia, I can only compare it to having someone take a sledgehammer and pound it into my skull. With these words, my life collapsed. If I had been given the option of storing Meir’s cord blood when he was born, perhaps, Meir would still be alive today. Parents need to be aware how storing cord blood can save lives.” Steve Shor, Founder of the National Children’s Leukemia FoundationAre there any risks associated with cord blood banking? NO. Cord blood is not collected until after the baby is born. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, collecting cord blood does not affect the baby, mother or birth experience. How does the cord blood banking program work? 1. Download the Inquiry Form on this website and either mail it to the NCLF (7316 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11234) or scan and email to info@leukemiafoundation.org. After we receive your Inquiry Form, we will send you information, membership and enrollment forms. After you are enrolled, you will receive a collection kit which you will bring with you to the hospital. The kit contains all the necessary instructions for collection and shipping. How is the Cord Blood Collection Bank monitored? The NCLF is licensed by the State of New York for Tissue Bank Operations and tissue procurement services. Our affiliated cord blood bank, Cord Blood America, is staffed by highly trained medical specialists who have experience in the handling and storage of cord blood. Stem cells from the cord blood are stored in cryo-preservation banks in liquid nitrogen at 200 degrees below zero Celcius. Each tube is marked with the donor’s name and is barcoded. Cord Blood America is registered by the FDA to serve as a cord blood bank and for Human Cells, Tissue based products and Cellular Tissues (HCT/Ps)Cord Blood America operates under cGMP standards, is licensed in the states of NY, NJ, CA and MD, is licensed by the State of Nevada Licensed Biologics Laboratory and as a Registered Laboratory in Hematology & Bacteriology in the State of Nevada , and is certified by Clinical Laboratory Improvement (CLIA) Each year, more than 4 million children are born in the United States. If every childbearing woman chose to collect and store cord blood, millions of lives could be saved!
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