Cord blood is a noncontroversial source of stem cells, yet 99% of this lifesavings resource is thrown away. Private cord-blood banks, which are for-profit, aggressively advertise their services to pregnant women. The cost is high. Initial processing can run $2,000 and yearly fees to store the cord- blood are $125 per year. The cord-blood can only be used for the donor’s family.
Public cord-blood banks, which are non-profit, make their cord blood available to anyone who is a close enough match. There are only 19 public banks in the U.S. and until recently, women could only donate at one of the 175 affiliated hospitals. That has changed. Time reported in the July 25, 2010 issue that there is a Public Kit Donation Project. Mom-to-be can request a kit for free and their doctors are trained for free. The cord-blood is collected and sent to the bank within 48 Hours.
It costs the moms nothing to donate the cord blood. The cost of collection is borne by the government and the participating banks. When matches are made, the banks are paid by recipients’ insurance companies.
Cord blood is already being used in therapy regimens for patients with cancer, sickle-cell anemia, marrow failure and genetic diseases that call for transplants. Now there is an another options to give the gift of life in addition to organ donation.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Children and Cancer
Because of their small size and rapid growth, babies and children are more vulnerable to pollutants. The President’s Cancer Panel published a report on May 6, 2010 on the risk of cancer from chemicals and other substances in the environment.
The panel’s top ten recommendations follow.
1. Drink filtered tap water.
2. Store food and water in glass, stainless steel, or BPA and phthalate free containers.
3. Minimize children’s and pregnant women’s exposure to carcinogens and endocrine disrupting chemicals. Chemicals that are known human endocrine disruptors include diethylstilbesterol (the drug DES), dioxin, PCBs, DDT, and some other pesticides. Many chemicals, particularly pesticides and plasticizers, are suspected endocrine disruptors based on limited animal studies.
4. Choose fruits and vegetables grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers (organic). Wash all fruits and vegetables to remove residues.
5. Choose free-range meat that has not been exposed to antibiotics or growth hormones.
6. Minimize consumption of processed, charred, or well done meats.
7. Turn off all lights and electrical devices when not in use.
8. Drive a fuel efficient car, walk, bike, or use public transportation.
9. Check home radon levels.
10. Reduce radiation exposure from cell phones and medical tests, and avoid UV overexposure.
The panel’s top ten recommendations follow.
1. Drink filtered tap water.
2. Store food and water in glass, stainless steel, or BPA and phthalate free containers.
3. Minimize children’s and pregnant women’s exposure to carcinogens and endocrine disrupting chemicals. Chemicals that are known human endocrine disruptors include diethylstilbesterol (the drug DES), dioxin, PCBs, DDT, and some other pesticides. Many chemicals, particularly pesticides and plasticizers, are suspected endocrine disruptors based on limited animal studies.
4. Choose fruits and vegetables grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers (organic). Wash all fruits and vegetables to remove residues.
5. Choose free-range meat that has not been exposed to antibiotics or growth hormones.
6. Minimize consumption of processed, charred, or well done meats.
7. Turn off all lights and electrical devices when not in use.
8. Drive a fuel efficient car, walk, bike, or use public transportation.
9. Check home radon levels.
10. Reduce radiation exposure from cell phones and medical tests, and avoid UV overexposure.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Summer Routines
Dear Nanette,
Preschool and soccer are done, summer is just starting, and already there seems to be chaos in the household. I feel like I’m going in five directions at once, but nothing seems to be accomplished. Please help me.
Disorganized Mom
Dear Disorganized,
Even summer needs structure. Children from birth through age six thrive on order and routines so it is important to have routines even in the summer. Personally, I function better with some structure, and I know that time disappears when I don’t have it.
Some routines should be retained throughout the year. Bedtimes and mealtimes are good examples, but summer routines can be in larger chunks. Rather than a daily schedule, you may opt for a weekly schedule. For example, one day is for the pool, one day for a field trip to a museum, one day for play dates, one day for the library, one day to meet dad or grandma for lunch, etc.
Summer rituals can be different too. You may want to start the day working in the garden and follow that with a cool drink on the patio. You may want to take a walk before lunch and look for different flowers blooming. Perhaps you have a park close by where you could take the children to play or bird watch. Many communities sponsor activities like concerts in the park. My granddaughters come over every week to go to concerts in the park. They have looked forward to it all year.
Sunday evening could be planning the week ahead, and the children can be involved. When you plan ahead and write it down, you have a road map for the week. The children will look forward to the activities, and you won’t be left at the last minute thinking, “What can we do today?”
Enjoy the places you go!
Preschool and soccer are done, summer is just starting, and already there seems to be chaos in the household. I feel like I’m going in five directions at once, but nothing seems to be accomplished. Please help me.
Disorganized Mom
Dear Disorganized,
Even summer needs structure. Children from birth through age six thrive on order and routines so it is important to have routines even in the summer. Personally, I function better with some structure, and I know that time disappears when I don’t have it.
Some routines should be retained throughout the year. Bedtimes and mealtimes are good examples, but summer routines can be in larger chunks. Rather than a daily schedule, you may opt for a weekly schedule. For example, one day is for the pool, one day for a field trip to a museum, one day for play dates, one day for the library, one day to meet dad or grandma for lunch, etc.
Summer rituals can be different too. You may want to start the day working in the garden and follow that with a cool drink on the patio. You may want to take a walk before lunch and look for different flowers blooming. Perhaps you have a park close by where you could take the children to play or bird watch. Many communities sponsor activities like concerts in the park. My granddaughters come over every week to go to concerts in the park. They have looked forward to it all year.
Sunday evening could be planning the week ahead, and the children can be involved. When you plan ahead and write it down, you have a road map for the week. The children will look forward to the activities, and you won’t be left at the last minute thinking, “What can we do today?”
Enjoy the places you go!
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