200 Units Released, 200 Families Given Hope

At 10:24 am by Morey - Category: Did You Hear?, Inside ViaCord, Transplants and Infusions

ViaCord has a long history of collecting and preserving babies’ stem cells. We’re proud to provide families with the opportunity to save the precious stem cells found in umbilical cord blood. The successful treatment of a number of conditions using cord blood stem cells proves they can be a valuable medical resource for families. Over the years ViaCord has seen many families in need of a stem cell treatment turn to the cord blood stem cells they’ve banked with us, especially where there may otherwise be limited treatment options.

Recently ViaCord released its 200th cord blood unit to be used for a potentially life-changing treatment.

Marking this newest milestone – 200 cord blood units released, 200 families given hope -is cause for acknowledgement and also provides an opportunity to reflect on the past and think about the future potential of cord blood stem cells.

A little over twenty years ago, cord blood stem cells had been used to treat just one disease, Fanconi’s anemia, but now there are nearly 80 diseases treatable with cord blood stem cells, including cancers, blood disorders and immunodeficiencies. Cord blood stem cells are also being studied by scientists in regenerative medicine trials for the treatment of cerebral palsy and type-1 diabetes. Regenerative medicine applications require a patient to use his or her own cord blood stem cells for treatment. As a result a number of ViaCord families have been able to participate in these trials, and a few have kindly shared their experience with us. You can read about their journeys here: Lillian’s Story, Katie’s Story, Cady’s Story, Rebecca’s Story.

We still have much to learn about the potential applications for cord blood, but the value of cord blood as a rich source of stem cells today is clear. That’s why ViaCord is committed to advancing the science that brings new therapies to those in need. We provide support to research institutions where scientists are studying and identifying new ways to use cord blood stem cells to help protect families. As researchers continue to make advances in stem cell science, it ultimately means that more people will have access to potentially life-saving treatments.

To ensure families are able to benefit from the potential opportunities presented by cord blood stem cells, regardless of their financial situation, ViaCord along with the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute created The Sibling Connection Program. This program provides any expectant family with a child who has an established diagnosis of a disease that is currently treatable with sibling cord blood ViaCord’s cord blood collection, processing and storage for five years at no cost. ViaCord also partners with the National Marrow Donor Program to provide cord blood collection and processing to qualified families who need an immediate transplant for a sibling.

Of course it is our hope that ViaCord families will never need to use their banked stem cells. However, the demonstrated value in having them available for a family as a potential medical treatment option is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. The release of our 200th cord blood unit for use also highlights their importance and strengthens our resolve to raise awareness about cord blood banking so more families whose lives could potentially be changed by a cord blood stem cell treatment have the chance to decide if cord blood banking is right for them.

Tell us, do you know someone who’s benefitted from a cord blood transplant? We’d love to hear from you.

ViaCord Teams Up with Pregnancy Companion ™

At 11:44 am by Lisa - Category: Did You Hear?

For many expectant moms following the development of your baby growing inside of you is a must. How could it not be when you stop to think about what really occurs during the nine months of pregnancy – a couple of cells miraculously transform into a tiny human being. It’s simply amazing. As a new mom, every time I look at my baby boy I’m still amazed and remember how the changes during those nine months were grand and rapid for both him and me!

One of the tools I used to feed my personal obsession with tracking our progress was thePregnancy Companion^TM iPhone application. Created by two board certified obstetricians, who together have over 25 years of experience and more than 8,000 deliveries, this app combines useful information, medical knowledge and tracking tools to help guide women through their pregnancies.

In addition to providing the week by week playbook about the incredible evolution of mom and baby, it includes many other features to meet your pregnancy needs…

• The calendar feature makes keeping track of the endless number of doctor’s appointments a snap.
• The hydration counter is a helpful reminder to drink plenty of water and the weight tracker provides nutritional information so you get your optimal caloric intake – helping keep mom and baby in the healthy zone.
• With 1000 baby names and associated origins and meanings, this feature can be a key player in the infamous name game.
• Comprehensive lists from what to buy for your baby to what to bring to the hospital and common emergencies for which to call your provider helps alleviate some of the ‘what should I do’ anxieties.
• And the yoga poses can help you find balance on a stressful day – namaste.

When I arrived at the hospital and the medical staff asked me how frequently my contractions were coming, my response – “Oh, I’ve got an app for that”.  Thanks to the handy contractions counter I arrived at the hospital on time and ready for labor! People often say expect the unexpected when it comes to pregnancy. I know all to well the excitement, nerves and fears that pregnancy can bring, but I will say having all of that useful information in the palm of my hand helped make me feel as prepared as possible, which at the end of the day was comforting to me.  

It’s clear the developers of this iPhone app are committed to healthy pregnancies.  That’s why ViaCord is proud to be a part of the Pregnancy Companion^TM , Version 2.0. In this new version ViaCord provides important information regarding the value of cord blood banking and other pre- and post-natal tests, echoing our commitment to raise awareness about cord blood banking so more families whose lives could potentially be changed by a cord blood stem cell treatment have the chance to decide if cord blood banking is right for them.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Arrive at the Forefront of Research

At 1:29 pm by Kate - Category: Did You Hear?, Emerging Treatments

Stem cells are the building blocks of life. So it’s no surprise that a major source of these cells is in the life-giving connection between mother and baby—the umbilical cord. When parents choose to bank their baby’s cord blood, the physician collects the blood remaining in the umbilical cord after birth and discards the umbilical cord tissue. New research is showing, however, that valuable stem cells are not only found in cord blood; they’re also found in the umbilical cord tissue.

Stem cell overview: hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells

Cord blood contains a variety of stem cells, including hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). These newborn stem cells can do an array of things, including create and repair the blood and immune systems. Hematopoietic stem cells can be the unsung heroes in transplants for patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases. HSCs and other stem cells found in cord blood are also being explored as a treatment option in some regenerative therapies, including treatment for Type I diabetes and cerebral palsy.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are important building blocks found in bone marrow, but researchers have also found a wellspring of these important stem cells in the often discarded umbilical cord tissue. MSCs are non-hematopoietic stem cells that have unique regenerative properties; they can generate into bone, cartilage, fat, cells that support the formation of blood, and fibrous connective tissue.¹   In fact, based on pre-clinical research studies using animal models, scientists believe that MSCs have the potential to play a critical role in treating patients with liver fibrosis², lung cancer³, Parkinson’s disease⁴,rheumatoid arthritis⁵, and sports injuries.⁶

While there are no treatments available today using cord tissue MSCs in humans, a significant amount of research is being done to understand the potential therapeutic value of these cells. There are over 55 existing studies using MSCs taken from umbilical cord tissue that indicate how important these stem cells could be to the scientific community.

Cord blood and cord tissue: the value of their stem cells

If MSCs can be found in bone marrow and other sources in the body, why is it important that they also exist in the cord tissue? MSCs found in umbilical cord tissue are new, or immunologically naïve. They don’t have the ‘life experience’ of adult stem cells. Another reason is the number and differentiation potential of bone marrow MSCs decreases with age whereas MSCs from umbilical cord tissue have well-documented self-renewal and differentiation properties.

Although both MSCs and HSCs can be found in bone marrow and other sources in the body, the umbilical cord provides the opportunity to collect these valuable stem cells through a non-invasive procedure from a source that is otherwise discarded after birth. By collecting and storing the stem cells extracted from your umbilical cord tissue along with your baby’s cord blood, you’ll have access to a wider variety of stem cells as new scientific discoveries are made

ViaCord Families Help Raise Awareness by Sharing Their Reasons for Banking

At 2:05 pm by Lisa - Category: Did You Hear?

The ViaCord Facebook^® page has become a wonderful place for ViaCord families to let their voices be heard. Your inspirational stories are moving and help raise awareness about the importance of cord blood stem cells. It’s this kind of insight that can help other families make an informed decision about cord blood banking. So when we asked our Facebook friends to tell us “Why did you bank your baby’s cord blood?” we knew we would get a response. But what we received was overwhelming.

Why bank? We asked, you answered!

We were amazed and gratified by how many families gave us a personal look into their reasons for banking their baby’s cord blood. Some parents told us that they wanted peace of mind, and others felt their family history influenced their decisions to bank. We were moved by your stories and couldn’t miss the opportunity to share some of your responses:

 “You never know what the future holds. There have been so many positive uses for people using stem cells, and I felt it would have been careless of me not to have the opportunity to give such a wonderful gift to my babies, if they are to ever need it.” —Claire

“My husband had cancer before we had our babies. [We] did it for peace of mind, just in case. Small price to pay! And we DEFINITELY made the right choice of bank.” —Ali

“My daughter is the greatest gift I’ve ever been given. She is everything to me. It’s a small gift for her future.” —Erin

“My second son, Nolan, suffered a brain injury at birth, so we banked our third son’s in hopes it would one day benefit Nolan!” —Nina

“Because we went through so much with fertility treatments to have our son, we knew he would likely be our only child. Having a smaller family means fewer potential matches if ever needed, so saving his cord blood seemed like a good idea. In just the past six years, the amazing advancements in technology have confirmed our decision. I would never want to be put in the position of having to say ‘We should have,’ so [having the cord blood available] gives us peace of mind.” —Jane

 

Raising awareness about the value of cord blood stem cells

Families who have banked or donated their babies’ cord blood are a great resource for educating others about cord blood stem cells. You can continue to help spread the word about cord blood stem cells in a variety of ways.

1. Communicate the value of cord blood to expecting friends and family members. Despite nationwide efforts to raise awareness about stem cells, some parents are still unaware of the options to bank or donate.
2. Consider donating if private banking isn’t right for your family. You  can check the Be The Match Registry^® to see if your local hospital collects cord blood for public donation. If it doesn’t, write a letter encouraging them to get involved.
3. Utilize social media to spread the word. Whether it’s a group on Facebook or a Tweet linking others to inspirational stories, your voice can be heard around the world on the Internet. If you’re not already a ViaCord Facebook Friend, please join us.  

And finally, share your stories with us. One of the best parts of working at ViaCord is hearing from the families who have entrusted us with their baby’s cord blood. From why you banked to inspirational stories that show the value of these stem cells, we love hearing from you.

Mom, with Love: ViaCord Celebrates Mother’s Day

At 5:26 pm by Lisa - Category: Did You Hear?

Mom. She’s always there for us. She gives us love, encouragement, confidence and the best cookies in the world. This Mother’s Day, we salute moms everywhere with some interesting and fun facts about this special day and the remarkable women it honors.

How did Mother’s Day start?¹ Upset by the devastation of the Civil War, Battle Hymn of the Republic composer Julia Ward Howe made a Mother’s Day Proclamation in 1870. She asked women to band together to protest the futility of war and the deaths of their sons. While the idea didn’t catch on right away, it laid the groundwork for a presidential order four decades later. President Woodrow Wilson signed the day into national observance in 1914, declaring that it be celebrated annually on the second Sunday in May.

Mother’s Day facts:²

• A whopping 122.5 million phone calls are made on Mother’s Day—more than any other holiday.
• 152 million cards are sent on Mother’s Day—making it the third-largest card sending day and creating more than 5 billion dollars in business for greeting card companies.

Mega mom numbers:³

• There are 2 billion moms in the world—82.5 million in the United States alone.
• Moms these days average 2 kids, but in the 1700s, most moms had 7–10 kids.
• About 4 babies are born every second. That’s a lot of pushing!
• 72% of moms work after their child is over one year old. And 55% of moms work before their child turns one.

Moms and chores:³

• Mom’s most hated chore? Vacuuming the stairs.
• 88% of laundry is done by moms. That’s 330 loads of laundry and 5200 pieces of clothing every year.
• There have been 7300 diaper changes by the baby’s second birthday.
• Preschool children require attention from mom every 4 minutes, which totals 220 times a day.

Super moms:³

• A Russian woman, Mrs. Vassilyev, birthed 69 children between 1725 and 1766.
• Weighing in at 22lbs, 8oz, Signora Carmelina Fedele’s son was born in 1955. Can you imagine?!

Making the most of Mother’s DayThere are lots of ways to celebrate Mother’s Day. Some good ideas include giving Mom a “day-cation” (taking the kids out so mom has a relaxing day at home), helping children craft a book of “coupons” that mom can cash in when she needs a little help, or spending the day at the park. Tell us, how do you plan on enjoying this special day?

Giving Dad His Due – Celebrating Father’s Day on June 19th

At 3:30 pm by Lisa - Category: Did You Hear?

Dads show their dedication in lots of ways, from driving passels of kids to the movies to teaching the fine art of tire changing and being a shoulder to lean on. So on his special day, don’t get caught without an idea or two to recognize all that he does. Dad’s selfless dedication to our lives deserves recognition. We compiled a few surefire ways to give Dad the Father’s Day he deserves.

1.    Have a ball (or a puck or a racecar or a monster truck)Whether it’s a baseball game or a monster truck rally, consider taking Dad to a fun event that he’ll remember. You can buy tickets to take him yourself, or gift him with a spare ticket and the opportunity to take one of his buddies.

2.    Host a dudes-only dayYou may want to take Dad and some of his friends to a local fishing hole or host a poker game—but leave the ladies out! There’s a reason for the saying “boys will be boys,” and Father’s Day can be the perfect day to let Dad just be one of the guys.

3.    Scrub-a-dub-dubDoes Dad have a favorite vehicle? Give that car or truck a wash and wax. Leaving it sparkling will make Dad feel like he did the day he bought it. If you’re really ambitious, clean the inside, too!

4.    Enjoy the outdoorsPack up the tent, pillows and some food and head out to a local campground. Or step it up a notch and find a campground a few hours from home. If Dad doesn’t like camping, do something different such as hiking, golfing, taking a road trip or even skydiving!

5.    Give Dad a free passWhether that means letting Dad sit, enjoy junk food and watch old football games or giving him the pass to go out with the guys, gifting Dad with a day to do anything he wants can be a great way of treating him on Father’s Day. And for you, it takes the work out of planning. If Dad is out of the house, you can get the kids involved by making him anything from cards to cookies.

Whatever you do this Father’s Day for Dad, remember that it’s always the thought that counts. For some Dads, a card can mean the world, and for others, being able to get out of the house can make all the difference. When coming up with ideas for Father’s Day, only you know what Dad will love best.

But we sure want to know what that is! Take a few moments to tell us what you do for Dad on Father’s Day. It may even inspire others to do the same for the Dad in their lives.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells May Unlock New Treatments

At 10:24 am by Morey - Category: Did You Hear?, Trends in Healthcare

The different types of stem cells contained within cord blood are currently used to treat nearly 80 diseases. Scientists hope that with more research, this list will continue to grow. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are drawn fromumbilical cord tissue, may be one key in the efforts to treat more diseases and disorders.

MSCs provide new hope to patients with debilitating diseasesPatients with liver fibrosis, lung cancer, Parkinson’s and other complex diseases have limited treatment options today, so opening new avenues for treatment is important. The unique ability MSCs have to repair damaged cartilage, muscle and tissue suggests their potential in medical applications. As a result, a significant amount of research is underway to better understand this potential. Below are findings from some of the pre-clinical studies using MSCs extracted from cord tissue:

• Liver Fibrosis: When the liver sustains an injury, it undergoes a scarring process called fibrosis. Too much scar tissue can disrupt liver function and blood flow.¹ Researchers have studied the effect of MSCs on rats with induced liver fibrosis and found that the stem cells may promote liver function and regeneration.²
• Lung Cancer: More people die from lung cancer in the United States than any other type of cancer.³ MSCs may play an important part in treating this deadly disease; scientists have discovered that these stem cells work to stop the growth of lung tumors.⁴
• Parkinson’s Disease: Brought to the public eye by actor Michael J. Fox, this brain disorder causes shaking, difficulty with movement and coordination and other debilitating symptoms.⁵ A study using MSCs showed there was no progression of the disease in rats that received the transplanted cells as compare to the rats that did not receive the transplanted cells.⁶  The results suggest that human umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cells have the potential to treat Parkinson’s disease.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: 1.3 million Americans are affected by this autoimmune disease that causes pain and inflammation in joints throughout the body.⁷ MSCs transplanted into immune cells collected from RA patients were shown to suppress inflammation and the disease. Transfusing MSCs into rats showed a significant reduction in the severity of the arthritis.⁸
• Sports Injuries (Cartilage): Sports can take a toll on the body and lead to debilitating injuries. A 2009 study shows that MSCs can be used to engineer certain types of cartilage⁹—offering a potentially new treatment for athletes.
• Type I Diabetes and Stroke: Umbilical cord blood stem cells are already being used in studies for Type I diabetes and stroke recovery. And now MSCs may give patients new options. Research has shown that the stem cells may help manage Type I diabetes¹⁰and repair cells that are damaged in patients who’ve experienced a stroke.¹¹  

These studies represent only a handful out of the over 55 studies that have used MSCs extracted from cord tissue – all of them prior to cryopreservation.¹² It’s appears Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are emerging as the next generation of discovery in stem cell research and here at ViaCord, we’re very excited about that. We have so much more to learn about these valuable stem cells, just as we did about cord blood stem cells 20 years ago.  And you can count on us to keep you up to date and the latest advancements with MSCs.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All research using cord tissue stem cells is in pre-clinical studies.
Medical treatments using family banked cord tissue are not available today; there is
no guarantee that therapies will be developed in the future.

July is National Cord Blood Awareness Month

At 2:31 pm by Kate - Category: Did You Hear?

One look at our blog and it’s easy to see we like to talk about cord blood and its valuable stem cells. As a cord blood bank it makes sense, but we also see the transforming power cord blood stem cells can have on a life so we know the importance of generating awareness on the topic. That’s why we’re happy to thank the National Health Information Center (NHIC) for dedicating the whole month of July to cord blood awareness. Educating expectant parents and others about the value of cord blood stem cells may help keep this precious resource from being thrown away as medical waste. If you’d like to spread the word or find out more yourself, here’s a quick primer:

The basicsToday, stem cells are mainly used in the treatment of disease and in tissue regeneration. They largely come from one of three sources – cord blood, bone marrow and peripheral blood. Cord blood stem cells are found in the blood of the umbilical cord. With their instant availability at birth and demonstrated utility, cord blood is quickly becoming a well known source of stem cells by transplant physicians. Learn more in our Stem Cells 101 blog post.

After a baby is born, and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, the blood left in the umbilical cord can be collected and the stem cells extracted and stored for potential use in a future medical application. Today, there are nearly 80 conditions that can be treated with cord blood and experimental treatments using cord blood for cerebral palsy and Type 1 diabetes are underway.  In fact, over 210 ViaCord families have used their saved cord blood in a transplant or infusion.

Ways to store cord blood stem cellsCord blood stem cells can be stored in two ways: with a public bank or a private family bank, like ViaCord. Public banks take cord blood donations from a limited number of hospitals around the country. The cord blood is stored and listed as part of a registry that make it available to anyone with a medical need, provided they are an adequate match.  Families who donate their child’s cord blood are not guaranteed access to their blood should they ever need it. They would have to go through the same process as others to access a donated cord blood unit, and pay to retrieve the unit, which at this time can cost up to $35,000.¹

Private cord banks, like ViaCord, store your baby’s cord blood stem cells exclusively for your family. If a medical need arises, you would have immediate access to those cord blood stem cells. In addition to exclusivity, there are a few other benefits to privately banking:

• If a stem cell transplant is needed, there is an increased chance of finding an acceptable match within your own family.
• Transplants using cord blood from a family member are proven to be more successful than transplants using cord blood from a non-relative. 2
• Access to emerging treatments, such as those focused on cerebral palsy and type 1 diabetes, require a patient to use his or her own cord blood stem cells.

And with private banking the cord blood can be collected anywhere you deliver your baby. A kit containing the necessary materials to perform a cord blood collection is mailed directly to you. Simply bring the kit to the hospital on the big day, a medical professional will conduct the cord blood collection and the unit will be shipped to a processing facility where the cord blood is stored.  

Raising awareness one person at a timeThere are many ways that you can help raise awareness about cord blood. Here are just a few:

• Take a few minutes to pass along your knowledge about the importance of cord blood stem cells. You never know the impact your words could have on someone’s life.
• Let expecting friends and family members know about their options when it comes to cord blood banking: donating or saving it – doing something means that precious resource of stem cells won’t be thrown away!
• ViaCord is on Facebook and Twitter. Come find us and join the conversation!

No matter what you do, every little bit can help shed light on the life-saving potential of cord blood stem cells.

Research examines if stem cell injections may help alleviate chest pains

At 3:55 pm by Kate - Category: Did You Hear?

Today, stem cells are primarily used in the treatment of disease and in tissue regeneration. They largely come from one of three sources – cord blood, bone marrow and peripheral blood. At ViaCord, we’re dedicated to storing cord blood stem cells for families for potential medical use. We’re also dedicated to keeping you up to date with the latest related research.  That is why we’d like to tell you about a study recently posted by the American Heart Association (AHA),which shows that patients who experience chronic chest pain may find relief with bone marrow stem cell treatment. Although the source of stem cells used in this study was bone marrow, we think it’s valuable to monitor advancement in bone marrow stem cell applications because of its potential to carry over to cord blood science someday …. especially because the study specifically looked at CD34+ cells which are also found in cord blood.

Promising results help scientists move forwardApproximately 850,000 people in the United States have refractory angina. This condition causes untreatable chest pain and can make exercise nearly intolerable.

The Intramyocardial, Autologous CD34+ Cell Therapy for Refractory Angina study is the first of its kind to show that low-dose injections of bone marrow stem cells harvested from the patient improve chronic pain and increase exercise tolerance.

Researchers, however, are still cautiously optimistic as they continue to pursue answers to remaining questions. One matter for further exploration involves patients who were taking a high-dose injection of stem cells and did not show significant improvement. This leaves scientists wondering if the high dose is less effective because it’s outside of the therapeutic range and requires adjustment. In addition, it was found that the bone marrow harvest process caused some patients to exhibit elevated levels of an enzyme that indicates heart damage. However, none of these patients had any changes on EKG or experienced any pain.

These ongoing questions will be further examined in future studies as the researchers work to understand how the stem cells function to repair blood vessels in the heart.

The study will move forward with a Phase III clinical trial later this year. This phase is critical for two reasons: it will use a larger group of patients, and it’s required in order to receive approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to bring a therapeutic to public market. For people suffering from refractory angina, an FDA-approved treatment could mean a significant change in their quality of life; like advancing from only watching television to walking, or from walking to riding a bike.

Translating success to cord bloodIt’s interesting to note that patients were injected with CD34+ cells— a cell type that is also found in cord blood. And as we know from Dr. Hal Broxmeyer’s, a renowned pioneering cord blood scientist, latest study there is no evidence that cord blood stem cells will expire, meaning the stem cells you bank today could potentially be used decades from now. ¹

Additional research would of course be required to uncover any potential for cord blood stem cells to be used in future treatments like these. Until then, we’ll keep you updated with more exciting stem cell news.

And tell us, is there anything you’ve read in stem cell news that you’d like more information about?

October 5th is Stem Cell Awareness Day!

At 9:50 am by Lisa - Category: Did You Hear?

For the millions of people around the world who suffer from incurable diseases and injury,Stem Cell Awareness Day is a day to celebrate the scientific advances made to-date and be hopeful of what is yet to come, according to the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) . And we’d have to say, we agree.

Stem cells from umbilical cord blood have been used in nearly 20,000 transplants worldwide during the last 20 years to help treat nearly 80 diseases.  And clinical trials, in the area of regenerative medicine, are now being conducted to determine whether a child’s own cord blood stem cells may be used to treat cerebral palsy and Type 1 Diabetes.  Read more about the trials in aprevious blog post.

Despite all the great news about cord blood stem cells and the hope that they provide for the future, there still exists a critical education gap. According to a study published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine  nearly 75% of expectant mothers in the study considered themselves “minimally informed” when it comes to cord blood banking.

To help address the significant education gap, the Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation , a comprehensive resource for expectant parents about cord blood medical research and cord blood storage options, has released a new educational brochure for expectant parents.

The brochure can be downloaded at no cost from the foundation’s home page and has been translated into several languages, including Spanish, German, Italian, Greek, and Hebrew, with more translations in progress.

In honor of Stem Cell Awareness Day, we hope you’ll take a moment to help spread the word about cord blood banking and about ViaCord!  Here are a couple of ways you can help raise awareness:

1. Come join the over 25,000 ViaCord fans on Facebook . You can connect with other ViaCord  families and individuals that support cord blood banking.
2. Tell expecting friends about the importance of cord blood stem cells and the benefits of preserving them. The impact of sharing your knowledge you may be greater than you think.
3. Email your friends a link where they can download a free information kit from ViaCord and learn more!

And be sure to tell us in the comments section of other ways you help raise awareness!!