News
Two new trials using cord blood for cerebral palsy…
In February 2010 the Medical College of Georgia (USA) confirmed their principal investigator, James Carroll, MD, Chief of Pediatric Neurology at MCG had received FDA approval to determine whether an infusion of cord blood stem cells can improve the quality of life for children with cerebral palsy. As at the end 2009, 124 children had received their own…
CordBanking… the gift that lasts a lifetime…
When Nikki Dines was expecting her first baby, her mum Linda offered to meet the costs of cord blood banking for her newest grandchild. It was an offer Nikki was delighted to accept. A good friend of Linda’s had recently done the same for her first grandchild and the idea made sense to her. “So…
Toddler improves in leaps and bounds
Chloe Levine was born seemingly perfect — she was the happy and healthy baby her parents had dreamed of. But by the time she was 9 months old, Chloe was not reaching the milestones her older sister Shayla had met at that age. Chloe’s right hand was constantly clenched in a tight fist – she…
An egg-citing opportunity for mums to be
We’re delighted to be partnering with EGG – the stylish maternity clothing brand – to give CordBank customers-to-be an exclusive offer. From 10th December 2009 until 31 March 2010, enter EGG as your code when you register online with CordBank and you’ll receive a $100.00 EGG gift voucher to use at any one of their three Auckland stores (Albany,…
New study uses cord blood to treat newborn brain injury
Oxygen deprived newborns are the focus of a new study underway at Duke University in North Carolina. The pilot programme is being led by Dr Joanne Kurtzberg, who succesfully reinfused New Zealander Maia Friedlander with her own cord blood last year. The purpose of the pilot study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of infusions…
Giving their baby a sporting chance
Proud parents of one year old Harper, Adine and Jeff Wilson, will become a family of four this January when their new baby arrives. Just as they did for Harper, the family has enrolled with CordBank to have their newborn’s cord blood collected and stored for future use. Cord blood is the blood that remains…
Cord blood may help premmies breathe easier
The scientific journal Cell Transplantation has 2 studies that have explored umbilical cord blood stem cells for lung and heart disorders. Both studies were conducted using animals so they are very preliminary, but they offer great potential for future treatments. In one study, researchers investigated the therapeutic benefits of transplanting human umbilical cord blood (UCB) mensenchymal…
Duke Studies New Approach in Fetal Transplants for Metabolic Disorders
October 19, 2009 – Researchers say a new development in cord blood transplants for inherited metabolic disorders may be curative for some babies who are treated while still in the womb. Joanne Kurtzberg, M.D., professor of pediatrics and pathology and director of the pediatric blood and marrow transplant program at Duke University Medical Center, says…
Cord blood banking – the natural choice for eco-conscious NZ parents
From choosing re-usable nappies to wooden toys, today’s expectant parents are conscious of the need to protect their baby’s health while they also look after the environment. “Environmentally-aware parents are telling us they want to provide their newborns with the natural protection provided by banking cord blood at birth”. “It’s a simple and sustainable way…
Parents see NZ as safe haven for cord blood banking
Since New Zealand was named the safest country in the world by the international Global Peace Index (GPI) in June, calls from expectant parents in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the US have risen dramatically. “We’ve had emails and calls from families in Denmark, Qatar, Singapore and Malaysia who have decided that whilst they…