Every month, the United States of America recognises a specific health awareness theme, often observed by other countries as well. In July, we shed a bright light on cord blood because it is Cord Blood Awareness Month!
Before you dismiss it as, “Ah, just another awareness to create hype lah,” we want to stop you on your tracks to tell you it is not “just another hype.” Everyone should be aware of its life-saving properties.
If you have missed out on cord blood banking flyers during your visits to the gynaecologist, we are glad you stumbled on this article. Cord blood is blood taken from your baby’s umbilical cord right after birth. It contains stem cells that have the potential to cure several diseases. However, cord blood is still underutilised, although many people benefit from it, because of several misconceptions and circulating myths.
Are you ready to bust some cord blood bluffs? Ready or not, here we go!
FICTION 1: “I think treating diseases with cord blood is still in its experimental phase.”
FACT: Not anymore. In 1988, five-year-old Matthew Farrow was the first person to receive a cord blood transplant. He was diagnosed with Fanconi anaemia – his bone marrow was not making sufficient blood cells. His new-born baby sister donated her cord blood, and it cured him of bone marrow failure. He is now 37, married, and a father. Today, he is a spokesperson for a hybrid public/private cord blood. You can read his interview here!
Since that first cord blood transplant in 1988, 40,000 patients with critical diseases or disorders have benefited from treatments stemmed from cord blood.
FICTION 2: “Cord blood collection could affect or harm my baby.”
FACT: That statement could not be further from the truth. Cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord after the birth of the baby. Blood is not taken from the baby or mother. Many consider the cord and placenta biological waste, but it should not be!
The cord blood collection is painless, simple, and quick. After the baby is delivered, the doctor will clamp the umbilical cord and separate it from the baby (a necessary step that does not affect or harm the baby in any way). A needle will be inserted into the vein of the umbilical cord. The blood in the umbilical cord that is rich with cord blood goes into the collection bag and voilà, the collection is done!
FICTION 3: “I can decide about cord blood banking right before I go to the hospital to deliver.”
FACT: It is always encouraged for mothers-to-be to decide before delivery. During delivery, there will be a lot of things going on; from the rush of emotions, hospital protocols, and more to be considered. Deciding on cord blood banking just before giving birth will be the last thing on your mind.
Plus, major decisions such as these require you to go through standard sign-up procedures. These processes could take up some time. As parents, you and your husband will have to go through the documents and agreements before signing them. Do talk to your obstetrical physician as early as possible about cord blood banking.
FICTION 4: “I should not bother to save stem cells from each of my children.”
FACT: Making decisions such as these are tricky. It is tempting to just save the stem cells of one child and hope to hit the jackpot when the stem cell is really needed. However, it is crucial to note that children are genetically unique and so are their stem cells. When you invest in the stem cell of each child, you are ensuring an exact genetic match. Plus, it increases the likelihood of a useful match with other family members.
Stem cells from a sibling’s cord blood are up to twice as likely to be useful for a transplant when compared to a sibling’s bone marrow. What if you are having identical twins? Well, parents are encouraged to save as many stem cells as possible and that means the stem cells of both babies.
FICTION 5: “Cord blood stem cells may not match my family.”
FACT: See the glass as half full, not half empty. Your baby’s stored cord blood stem cells have a higher potential match for immediate family members. If you run compatibility tests on any first or second-degree family member, there might be a suitable match for some cancers and blood disorders. Hence, saving each child’s stem cells is still encouraged because of its potential to save a life.
FICTION 6: “I only need to save cord blood if I have a family history with illnesses.”
FACT: Family history is not a reliable indicator of the need to save cord blood. There are more than 80 diseases and illnesses that can be treated with cord blood, and most of them do not run in families. Take leukaemia as an example; it occurs spontaneously and does not always run in families.
FICTION 7: “I heard stored cord blood has a limited ‘shelf-life’.”
FACT: In theory, correctly stored cord blood may remain useful for a lifetime. However, this is not certain because cord blood banking has only existed for about 30 years. As of today, cord blood stored for more than 20 years has been successful when used for transplants.
FICTION 8: “All cord blood banks are the same.”
FACT: Cord blood banks may vary in terms of price, quality, experience, and even the technology used to collect, process, and store samples.
CryoCord has a team of highly-trained medical professionals that will collect the cord blood within 5 minutes – no interfering or complicating the delivery process. You might not even notice!
The laboratory is also awarded ISO 15189 by Laboratory Accreditation Scheme of Malaysia (SAMM), certified for medical testing, and ISO 14644 Class 5 (Class 100) Cleanroom with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, certified by NASA and US Federal Standard 209E.
Cannot get through the many accreditations above? That is the effort put in by CryoCord to ensure contaminations do not get through to the lab, too! Other honorable mention: the laboratory has been granted AABB (formerly known as American Association of Blood Banks) accreditation after an intensive on-site assessment conducted by specially trained AABB assessors to establish the development and implementation of quality systems meet the standards set by AABB.
In the laboratory, the cord blood collected undergoes cellular dissociation and expansion before storage. This practice is principal to ensure enough cells are available when needed.
This investment is reliant on time. Therefore, CryoCord ensures that they are financially sound through diligent planning. A trust fund is set up to ensure business sustainability. So, not to worry, the cord blood will not go missing when you need it!
FICTION 9: “Umbilical cord blood banking is expensive.”
FACT: Price differs from one cord blood bank to another. CryoCord offers several personalised payment plans to make it affordable for families. There is a basic or premium plan and easy-payment schemes. If you need more help, their cord blood specialists will be more than happy to chat about the available payment options with you. Click on this to get information on assistance!
Now that we have debunked a few myths that you might have held on to, we hope that you have a clearer concept of what cord blood banking is. If you are thinking of banking your baby’s umbilical cord, contact CryoCord at 1800-88-3300 or email them at info@cryocord.com.my.