PSA: cord blood / tissue banking
AddictedToLipBalm
member
Because of my medical history, both my oncologist and obgyn practice strongly suggested that I bank cord blood / tissue. After researching some of the popular programs, I found out that Cord Blood Registry has a Newborn Possibilities Program --- essentially, it's free cord & tissue collection, processing, and banking for 5 years for qualifying families, which entails that a family member:
Has been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease currently treatable with a donor stem cell transplantHas an oncologist or attending physician who agrees stem cells may be used for treatmentIs a full sibling or biological parent to the newborn donor ? a first-degree blood relativeLives in the U.S.Has an active disease or is in recent remissionI hope it's ok to post this here, in case anyone qualifies and can use the service. I won't post a link, in case that's against the rules, but I'm sure that most who have looked into banking have heard of CBR. There is an application process, which I completed last week (fingers crossed that I get accepted).
Beat stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma May 2011, YEAH!!!
BFP 3/30/12, with fingers and toes all crossed.
AMA (37) + GD = HR, grr.
EDD 12.12.12
Re: PSA: cord blood / tissue banking
Do you which diseases are covered by this? Would MS be one of them?
ETA: I found the information and I don't think it works for MS.
I'm sorry, I do not know the answer to that question, but I was told that the list of disorders on the CBR website is not exhaustive. I did a quick search online and saw that stem cells are a complementary treatment for MS, so I'd give it a shot and get in touch with them for more info.
Beat stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma May 2011, YEAH!!!
BFP 3/30/12, with fingers and toes all crossed.
AMA (37) + GD = HR, grr.
EDD 12.12.12
Thank you for the good luck! I know that acceptance means the difference between having to deplete the savings account and being able to hold onto our cash a little while longer.
Beat stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma May 2011, YEAH!!!
BFP 3/30/12, with fingers and toes all crossed.
AMA (37) + GD = HR, grr.
EDD 12.12.12
Thanks for the information. Is always worth applying, worst thing they can say is no.
Yes, you're right, it can't hurt. I didn't know if I would qualify either (didn't know what their definition of "recent remission" would be), but when I called I was put in touch with someone very helpful who encouraged me to apply. The application process was pretty easy, just a few forms. The part that took a little while was the part that had to be completed by my oncologist (they want the treating physician to complete some info and sign it)... I had to drop it off at the office and pick it up about a week later.
ETA: good luck, and please let me know how it goes for you!
Beat stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma May 2011, YEAH!!!
BFP 3/30/12, with fingers and toes all crossed.
AMA (37) + GD = HR, grr.
EDD 12.12.12
We still have a little ways to get there, I am only 7 weeks but that's something that DH & I talked about and we are interested and researching different services and their costs.
Thank you for this PSA.