Cord Blood Banking Cost and Information

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Created on Monday, 15 April 2013 16:53

Published on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 11:53

Banking your child's cord blood can be extremely beneficial for your family. There is ample information available about cord blood banking cost and the many benefits associated with banking your child's cord blood with StemCyte. One of the reasons it is important to save your child's cord blood and have it stored at the time of birth is that it is the only time in your child's life that it can be done. The stem cells that are used for banking and future health purposes can only be retrieved from the umbilical cord of the baby right after they are born. It is important to store this cord blood because it has the potential to treat and cure many diseases and illnesses that may present themselves in the future. Some of these illnesses are otherwise very hard to treat. There are over 80 known diseases at this time that cord blood can assist in treatment of. These include illnesses, diseases, and cancers such as lupus, sickle cell anemia, leukemia, and autoimmune diseases. Another reason to store the cord blood of your child is that this cord blood may also have the ability to cure and treat illnesses in other blood related family members, such as the parents and siblings of the child whose cord blood is banked. For families that already have members diagnosed with an illness, or families that have certain illnesses that run in the family, this can provide immediate and potential life-saving benefits. The number of applications and treatments available for use with cord blood continues to grow every year. It is likely that many common diseases will be curable with cord blood in the near future. Some of the more common ailments that scientists are working on curing and treating with cord blood include Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer’s disease, HIV, heart disease, and diabetes. The banking of your baby's cord blood guarantee that your child has stem cells with a complete genetic match available for use if they are needed. This can provide loved ones with peace of mind, knowing that should a child fall ill, there is hope where before there may not have been. Knowing it may also provide hope for older siblings who have not had their cord blood banked is also an amazing benefit. The cord blood company StemCyte is the owner of one of the most premier cord blood banks in the world. they are world renowned, accredited, and licensed in many states. The cost of cord blood banking at StemCyte is very upfront and straight forward. Payment plans are availeble if your family is on a budget, allowing you to provide hope for family should it be required in the future. There are several discounts available for families, such as those in the military, medical professionals including OB doctors and nurses, and preferred previous clients.

Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

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Created on Monday, 15 April 2013 16:53

Published on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 11:53

It is becoming increasingly common for parents to arrange for collection and storage of their child’s cord stem cells. These parents have become aware of the value of these cells for their possible future use in cord blood cell marrow transplantation to combat future disease. You child’s cord blood is a particularly rich source of hematopoietic stem cells. These hematopoietic stem cells will, upon transplantation to bone marrow, quickly differentiate into a variety of blood cells: oxygen carrying red cells, a variety of leucocytes (white blood cells) and platelets (for clotting). All the cells needed for healthy blood and a sound immune system. Stem Cell Use Bone marrow transplants have been used as part of treatments to fight a multitude of diseases: malignancies (leukemias, lymphomas, myelomas), blood disorders s (thalassemias, sickle cell anemia, Fanconi anemia), immune deficiencies and autoimmune diseases. For many years, autologous transplants have been performed on children and adults using stem cells harvested from the patient’s marrow. Harvesting allows subsequent aggressive radiation and chemotherapy treatments that destroy both affected and healthy cells. After transplantation, the patient’s own stem cells develop into healthy replacement blood cells with a minimum possibility of rejection. Your Baby’s Stem Cells In essence, by storing your child’s umbilical cord stem cells, future stem cell harvesting will be unnecessary. This is particularly advantageous when obtaining an adequate supply of “normal” stem cells from a very ill patient may be difficult. Your child’s cord stem cells are a perfect human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system match. Additionally, there is a 50% chance that a baby’s stem cells will prove a match for a sibling. Although less likely, an acceptable HLA match to a parent is possible. In fact, exact HLA matching of cord stem cells is of less importance. The “immaturity” of hematopoietic cord stem cell antigens harvested makes rejection less likely. Additionally, cord blood stem cells reduce the risk of graft versus host disease (GVHD) where transplanted stem cells attack the patient's cells. Donated cord stem cells have provided allogeneic bone marrow transplants between totally unrelated donors and recipients. However, all the potential life saving medical benefits from your child’s cord stem cells are meaningless if the cells are not collected, medically shipped, biologically processed, recorded and stored in a professional manner. Storage and Use After enrollment with StemCyte, you will be supplied with a collection kit. Following delivery, experienced hospital personnel following StemCyte directions will collect the proper blood samples and your baby’s cord blood will be “medically” shipped to StemCyte within 48 hrs. At StemCyte, the sample will be biologically processed and tested. Your child’s cord stem cells are then cryogenically frozen and maintained in - continuously monitored - liquid nitrogen cooled storage units. Of course, proof is in the pudding. Unlike most family cord blood banks, StemCyte has supplied cord blood units for many - over 1700 - transplants. This has included a significant number of adult transplants that can require a large number of viable stem cells attesting to the quality of StemCyte’s collection, processing and storage techniques. StemCyte stem cell blood units in allogeneic transplants have provided fast bone marrow replacement that avoids the likelihood of infection. StemCyte transplantation success rate is your guarantee that your baby’s cord stem cells will be in the best hands – ready for a possible life saving rescue.

Cord Blood Facts

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Created on Monday, 15 April 2013 16:52

Published on Monday, 25 March 2013 11:52

Medical innovations have found the benefit of utilizing cord blood for medical procedures in families. The umbilical cord contains millions of stem cells that help in the creation of new, healthy cells. Every cell in the human body comes from stem cells, allowing medical scientists to stimulate stem cells to turn into blood cells, skin cells, bone cells, muscle cells, and nerve cells. When a child is born, the umbilical cord is taken and processed of its cord blood. The cord blood contains the majority of the stem cells and, through a sterile process, is taken from the cord into a storage container. The cord blood is then processed in laboratories where stem cells are extracted. The sample is tested and analyzed to make sure the cord blood does not contain bacterial, fungal, viral, or genetic issues. The samples then are categorized. The categorization process varies since many families may store the cord blood in a family bank or release the blood for general study and use. Stem cells from umbilical cords have amazing uses for the general public and families. If families want to use the cord blood for their family bank, this cord blood can be applied to many members of the family. The cord blood will match the genetic codes of many of the family members and can help genetic conditions that are familial. If the cord blood is released to the public, the cord blood can be studied by medical scientists for further innovations or directly help people with the same blood type. Cord blood has been applied to patients who have immune, blood, muscular, and nervous system issues. When processed correctly, medical scientists can apply stems cells to patients with the same blood type or related family members to damaged cells. The stem cells then begin to replicate into the damaged cells. Although the industry is in its infancy, the potential health effects are monumental. People with autoimmune diseases, for example, can develop healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to replace the patient's compromised immune system. These effects can help the illnesses and genetic issues that children and adults face. We at Stemcyte provide a number of services that collect, process, and store cord blood. Our superior services can capture and collect umbilical cord blood in utero or after a baby is born. We at Stemcyte have protective transport materials that maintain a sterile environment and optimal temperatures to keep cells preserved. Stemcyte also has a clear identification system, so a patient's cord blood can be stored for their family bank or general use. Stemcyte storage is well protected in containers, with double locks and requires two personnel to open, and the cord blood is stored at low temperatures from liquid nitrogen vapors. We work directly with patient health care providers to manage, store, and utilize cord blood on the behalf of patients. Cord blood remains a potential health benefit for families and people suffering from various illnesses. Consider the superior services of Stemcyte today.

Umbilical Cord Blood Bank

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Created on Monday, 15 April 2013 16:51

Published on Friday, 22 March 2013 11:51

The umbilical cord is one of the most important pieces of tissue involved in the growth of an embryo. After a birth, it is comically disposed of by hospital personnel. However, there is a new benefit to having umbilical cord tissue stored for future medical reasons. The umbilical cord consists of cord blood, which unlike normal human blood is filled with millions of stem cells. Stem cells are potential cells that can take the form of other human cells. The first few stages of life are made of stem cells. As we develop and the embryo forms, the stem cells differentiate into different body system cells, like blood cells, nerve cells, brain cells, etc. As medical technology has advanced, scientists are able to tap into the potential of stem cells for therapeutic uses. Experiments have shown that when stem cells are placed near other body cells, like existing blood cells, the stem cells begin to mutate into similar blood cells. Likewise, when stem cells are placed near damaged body cells, the stem cells replace the damaged cells with healthy ones. This process is seen as a revolutionary medical therapy for various medical conditions. Storing stem cells, specifically the ones a newborn is born with, becomes a potentially life-altering decision. For example, a family can have the umbilical cord blood stored into cord blood bank. A umbilical cord blood bank is a sterile, secure storage facility that keeps cord blood preserved. As the newborn ages into childhood and into adulthood, several medical conditions ranging from auto-immune diseases to chronic illnesses could manifest themselves. As one tool to manage any one of these conditions, the old stem cells from that same person's umbilical cord can be re-applied into their body and potentially heal damaged body tissue. We here at Stemcyte can help make this process a reality for many families. Stemcyte works with a family's medical provider and physicians during the pregnancy and childbirth. Parents can choose to take some cord blood while the baby is in utero, or when the baby is born. Either way, the professionals at Stemcyte will collect the stem cells in a safe and sterile way. The medical scientists at Stemcyte will then analyze the cord blood to make sure there are no foreign bodies in the blood, like bacteria or fungi. After analyzing the cord blood, Stemcyte technicians capture the stem cells from the cord blood and carefully transport and store the stem cells into secure storage containers at Stemcyte's blood bank. The stem cells are categorized by the newborn's name and blood type. Stemcyte scientists routinely check on the blood bank samples, which are preserved through liquid nitrogen vapor. Whenever a medical emergency occurs, a family physician can contact Stemcyte and we can work to cultivate the stem cells that can potentially help a life. Consider Stemcyte's umbilical cord blood bank today.

The Importance of Trustworthy Stem Cell Storage Banks

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Created on Monday, 15 April 2013 16:51

Published on Wednesday, 20 March 2013 11:51

Stem Cells are of various kinds. They can be totipotent, pluripotent as well as multipotent. Totipotency refers to the ability of cells to differentiate into any kind of cell. Pluripotency meanwhile is the ability of cells to divide into any type of cell except placental cells. Stem Cell Storage, hence, is important. The ability of a cell to divide without differentiating as well as to retain the ability to differentiate into any specialized cell is indeed special. As a result, stem cells can be used to replace damaged cells in hematological disorders and other serious diseases. These cells have the potential to form a new organ and hence can be used to replace a damaged organ in a human being. These stem cells are called Embryonic Stem Cells. However, as the human being develops, stem cells lose their special abilities. They become specialized cells and form tissues and organs. Stem cells are found in the zygote, the initial ball of cells formed after fertilization of an egg by a sperm. To extract stem cells, an embryo might have to be destroyed. Thus, there were previously many objections to harvesting stem cells for preservation. The objections were based primarily on ethical grounds. Stem cells can also be harvested from the umbilical cords of a woman and the placenta. In adult human beings, stem cells are also found. These are found in bone marrow, adipose tissue and in the blood. Their main purpose is to repair damaged tissue. Stem cells are now harvested from cord blood, bone marrow or blood. To extract stem cells from bone marrow, the physician has to drill into the bone. Liposuction is required to extract them from adipose tissue. The cells are cooled slowly, first to -90 degrees and then to -190 degrees. They are preserved in liquid nitrogen to keep their multipotency properties intact. One bank to store the cord blood in is Stemcyte. Just after or before the child is born, the blood can be extracted by medical professionals. The parents or the medical center does not have to arrange for the materials needed for extraction. Also, the parents do not have to care about issues such as transportation. Stemcyte takes care of the entire process unlike other companies; transportation is done by experienced carriers in sealed bags. When the blood arrives at Stemcyte, it is rigorously examined to find signs of any infectious diseases. Stemcyte ensures that the stem cell yield is the highest by Plasma Depletion. Other companies remove red cells first, causing a decrease in stem cells. The cells are labeled clearly to prevent loss of identity and stored extremely securely in double locked freezers. Two individuals are required for accessing the blood bank. These features make Stemcyte the best blood bank. Families might need their services to preserve stem cells in case the child suffers from health problems such as bone marrow disorders. Also, as each cord’s cell is genetically unique, the stem cells might be needed by another family member in the future. Hence, Stemcyte is the Global Cord Blood Therapeutics Company one can look to for storing their new generations’ blood in order to ensure a more protected future.

The Importance of Umbilical Cord Blood Banking for New Moms

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Created on Monday, 15 April 2013 16:50

Published on Monday, 18 March 2013 11:50

These days, more and more new moms are choosing umbilical cord blood banking after they give birth because of all the health benefits it offers their families. Umbilical cord blood is full of stem cells, the basic building blocks of almost every part of the body. When stem cells are reserved for the future, they can potentially save lives by offering cures for everything from cancer to sickle cell anemia. At StemCyte, we have one of the largest, most diverse selection of cord blood in the world. Cord Blood Banking Saves Lives Each child who is born has a unique genetic makeup which makes his or her stem cells unique as well. This factor can play an important role should your child ever become sick with what was thought to be a chronic disease. It can also be beneficial to siblings and other family members. So far, research has shown that we can store umbilical cord blood indefinitely, so as your child ages and scientists find new ways to use stem cells, the chance they can offer up a treatment should something unthinkable happen increases greatly every year. What Does it Treat? Over 80 diseases have been treated with stem cells. These include different types of leukemia, various blood and metabolic disorders, breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. However, that is only the beginning. New research is being conducted every day. Currently, scientists are looking into ways that stem cells can treat diabetes, stroke, heart disease, HIV, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cerebral palsy to name a few. Just imagine the advances that could be made by the time a child born this year reaches the age of 20. Stem cells are also being used in cases where bone marrow transplants would normally take place. This offers many advantages. Not only are patients who undergo stem cell transplants unlikely to contract graft versus host disease, but unlike with bone marrow, a patient does not have to be an exact match to take advantage of stem cell treatment. How We Do It By paying special attention to detail, StemCyte offers safe and effective umbilical cord blood collection, transportation and banking. The blood is collected by a health care professional just minutes after birth. We provide strict instructions to the health care worker who will be collecting your blood, and we are available 24 hours a day to answer their questions. Not only is the collection process safe and sterile, but it is non-intrusive and does not interrupt family bonding time. Once the blood is collected, it is expertly transported to our unique temperature-controlled containers at our laboratory in Covina, California. There, it is tested for disease, contamination and cell count and placed in a vat of liquid nitrogen until it is ready to be used. Throughout the entire process, your stem cells are only handled by the our highly trained staff in our state-of-the-art facility. Temperatures in our bank are monitored at all times, and security is extremely important to us. Double lock door protect your umbilical cord blood, and employees may only access it if they are accompanied by another staff member.

Benefits of Banking Cord Blood

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Created on Monday, 15 April 2013 16:49

Published on Friday, 15 March 2013 11:49

While planning for pregnancy, many mothers face several difficult decisions. one very important decision is what to do with the umbilical cord after birth. I chose to save the blood in my umbilical cord with StemCyte, I feel it was the best decision possible. The first reason I chose to use StemCyte to save my child's cord blood was piece of mind. It was a very easy process to do and it ensures the health of my family. I simply enrolled in the program and was sent a collection kit. When it was time to deliver the baby, I brought the collection kit to the hospital. My doctor was already informed, by StemCyte, of what needed to be done in order to save my child's cord blood. The cord blood is collected out of sight. After it is collected we simply called the number to let the pick up company know it was ready for pick up. The cord blood is picked up and delivered directly to the laboratory. I even received a call from StemCyte to ensure that my kit had arrived. The second reason I chose to save cord blood was because of the healing quality it contains. Cord blood contains special blood cells known as stem cells. Currently scientists have used stem cells to fight over 80 different diseases. These diseases include; leukemia, autoimmune diseases, lupus, and inheritable diseases such as sickle cell anemia. Not only is stem cell currently being used for several treatments, but with advancements in technology there could be more cures in the future. Currently scientists are working towards treatment for spinal cord injury, stroke, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, diabetes, and HIV. The third reason I choose to save cord blood was because of the ability to help my child and my family. The blood in the cord contains stem cells that not only are a genetic match to my child, but could match any member of my immediate family. Because the cord is attached to the child in the womb it shares cells with the child. When being used in treatments, it is important that the cells have a genetic match in order to be used correctly. Since the cells are from the child, it will be a perfect match for the child. The cells also have the probability to match other members of my family. The final reason I chose Stemcyte was because of their lifesaver guarantee. No other storage company provides this peace of mind. The guarantee states that if the cells do not engraft upon transplantation, then I get refunded the price of services plus an additional $50,000. If this happens, StemCyte will also search the donor bank to provide an alternative blood match. Lastly, if the cord is damaged upon processing, StemCyte has the ability to find another match from their donors and use that cord blood. There are several decisions expectant mothers need to make. One of the best choices I made was to save my cord blood. Saving my cord blood, provides peace of mind for the health of my family and child. Using StemCyte to save my cord blood was a simple process that ensures the health of my family. With the lifesaver guarantee I can rest easy knowing that my family will be able to find a match to help my family.

The Wise Investment of Cord Blood Banking

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Created on Monday, 15 April 2013 16:48

Published on Wednesday, 13 March 2013 11:48

Cord blood banking is one of the most exciting advances in stem cell treatment. Stem cell therapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of autoimmune disease, genetic diseases, blood disorders and certain cancers that were previously considered incurable. By using the cord blood registry for your child, you ensure that stem cell therapy is available for your family. Cord blood is harvested from the placenta and umbilical cord after a child has been born and is one of the most promising sources of stem cells. It is more desirable than bone marrow, which is painful to donate and has a high rate of rejection. Stem cell treatment therapy is one of the biggest breakthroughs in medical technology. Stem cells are the building blocks of every organ and system in the human body. Transplanting healthy stem cells can reverse such diseases as leukemia, sickle cell anemia, autoimmune disease and correct defects in bone, heart and nerve cells. Before cord blood banking became available, stem cell transplant was a long and difficult process. Donor programs had long waiting lists and the possibility of a genetic match was slim. By banking your baby’s cord blood, the genetic match is already available for your child and other family members should the need arise. When you enroll in Stemcyte’s cord blood banking system, you will receive a collection kit with complete instructions. Stemcyte will contact your healthcare provider near the delivery date to answer any questions and will follow up to ensure the collection process is as smooth as possible. We will arrange transport with our quality controlled courier service to ensure secure delivery to our laboratory. Stemcyte used the latest advances in technology to develop a proprietary process to ensure that the volume of viable stem cells is the highest in the industry. This process, backed by the latest in scientific research, begins by using a blood bag collection system that greatly reduces the risk of air-borne contamination. Our temperature controlled transport system exceeds FDA standards to protect the viability of stem cells as they are shipped to our state of the art laboratory. Stem cells are then extracted, frozen and stored securely for future use. Stemcyte is the first choice among transplant surgeons around the world for good reason. Our stem cell optimization and onsite HLA typing laboratory exceed industry standards and allow for rapid response to urgent transplant requests. Our accreditation and licensing include the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA), American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), California Biologics License and numerous Clinical Laboratory licenses. These accolades establish Stemcyte as the leader in the field of stem cell banking. This is why Stemcyte is the best choice to provide security for your family’s health. When you invest in cord blood banking you ensure your family has the latest in medical technology to provide a safe and healthy future.

Cord Blood Bank

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Created on Monday, 15 April 2013 16:47

Published on Monday, 11 March 2013 11:47

A Cord Blood Bank: What Happens There? A cord blood bank is a place that collects and store blood taken from the umbilical cord for usage in the future. In response to the possibility of cord blood being used for treatment of blood diseases and diseases related to the immune system, both public and private cord blood banks have opened. Corporations and foundations open private blood banks. The medical community supports the public blood banks and allows donations that are used for anyone that needs them. The public blood banks have to follow certain regulations in order to allow the donated blood to be added to the inventory. Cord blood that is donated loses all the information that identifies who it came from after a minute amount of time for testing. A private cord bank operates a little differently. The identity of the contributor is connected to the cord blood. This allows a family to recover the blood later on if it is ever required. The parental unit has charge of the blood until the child reaches adulthood. The cord blood may be required by the baby that donated it or by a close relative that is usually a sibling. Private banks do assess a fee to reserve the blood for the family. Cord blood is so valuable because it contains stem cells. These are cells that can form platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells. These cells are utilized to treat blood disorders, cancer and genetic diseases. The collection of these cells is done after the umbilical cord has been cut. The blood is taken from the end where the fetus was connected. After a baby is born, it is usually done within ten minutes. After a medical provider takes the cord blood from the cord, the placenta is carried to a stem cell clinic where the stem cells are harvested. Prior to being stored for use in the future, the cord blood is tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, HIV and tissue typing. It is also checked for cell count, blood group, cell viability and fungal and bacterial growth. Some of the benefits of cord blood are its use for treating life threatening ailments and stem cell therapy. Cord blood has been used as a replacement for a customary bone marrow transplant in children. It is invaluable in exceptional instances when a proper bone marrow contributor cannot be located. Cord blood can also be utilized for other members of the family who possess tissue types that match the cord blood. This can include parents, grandparents and siblings. These cells collected from this blood can be used for regenerative medicine. The cells assist in the regrowth or repair to particular areas of the body. This is useful in the medical field because an individual’s stem cells can be utilized on their own person with no ill effects because they have the distinctive characteristics of that person’s own body. Physicians and medical researchers are constantly assessing the security and usefulness of cord blood stem cells for beneficial uses that are way beyond the current uses of the cells.

Banking Stem Cell Cord Blood

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Created on Monday, 15 April 2013 16:46

Published on Friday, 08 March 2013 11:46

The Benefits of Cord Blood Stem Cell Banking Cord Blood Stem Cell Banking has become a viable alternative to bone marrow transplants. A baby's umbilical cord contains a healthy source of blood cells known as stem cells. Stem cells have special properties essential to building tissue, organs, blood and healthy immune systems. By preserving, or banking these cord blood stem cells, families have the opportunity to storehouse a biological first-aid kit that can help cure a baby or direct family member of certain cancers, genetic and immune diseases and various blood disorders. Stemcyte, a leading licensed and accredited cord blood bank company, has all of the tools and expertise available to save this precious resource for families in need. What are Stem Cells? Cord blood is collected from a baby's umbilical cord within minutes after birth. These cells are master cells which are fresh and untarnished. They contain the vital building blocks that produce and develop the various biological systems of the body. They interact with and repair platelets, white and red blood cells when used after transplantation. They multiply and reproduce new blood cells in two to six weeks. They promote the rejuvenation and repair of blood quality in instances of damaged bone marrow by radiation or chemotherapy. Advanced research has indicated that stem cells can transform into other various cell types, such as nerve, muscle, bone and heart cells. The Benefits of Stem Cell Cord Blood Collecting and storing cord blood insures a family against probable defects involving the immune system, blood, malignancies, cancers and other afflictions that total over 80 diseases. Stem cells have been successful in treating diseases such as lupus, leukemia, sickle cell anemia and autoimmune diseases. Children who have inborn or inherited defects of the metabolism or immune system can benefit from the induction of healthy stem cells into the bone marrow. Doctors are using cord blood stem cells to lessen the risks found in bone marrow transplant surgery. By using stem cells, the risks of graft vs. host disease, or GVHD, is considerably lessened because the tissue typing is less complicated than the bone marrow procedure. Banking stem cell cord blood is especially beneficial to families with a history of inherited or genetic diseases that can affect several family members of any age or gender. The newest research is exploring treatment and cures for some of today's most common injuries and diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, spinal cord damage, HIV and stroke. How to Prepare The preservation of a baby's stem cells at the time of birth is a very important decision that can one day save the life of the baby or a related family member. Stemcyte makes the process easy and convenient. The decision should be made by the 3rd trimester or sooner. Stemcyte will furnish the necessary collection kit, and in some instances it is possible to obtain a kit upon arrival at the hospital, but this depends upon hospital policy. It is also advisable to notify the doctor beforehand, explaining your option to retrieve and bank the baby's cord blood.