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.