[Evon]

My daughter-in-law is due to have a baby in October and has asked if banking the cord blood is a good thing to do. I have read some of the literature she has been given and I'm not sure whether this is just a way of making money or is it for real. It is very expensive, the first stage when the cord blood is taken at the birth is approximately $1000.00 Canadian and the banking is offered at a rate of approximately $1000.00 Canadian for 10 years storage. Also it does not guarantee it will be a match for the recipient. Would it only be useful to the baby's siblings? Would someone like myself with P.D. benefit? Any information would be appreciated. I would be willing to help with the costs but I am leary.

[olsen]

when I have grandchildren born, I will encourage them to bank cord blood.

[jeanb]

Evon

I recommend anyone with the means bank their family's cord blood. I went to a meeting about Cord Blood and there are so many diseases it may help.

No- nothing for PD, but many types of cancer, sickle cell disease, etc have shown that cord blood stem cells are a promising treatment.

If I am ever blessed with grandchildren, I'll pay to store the cord blood.

Good luck to you and your family.

PS there are also cord blood banks you can contact to donate the cord blood - for the good of all people. The cord blood banks then make the cord blood available to all people around the world to help cure disease. (You lose your rights to the cord blood, but you pay nothing to donate it - and you may be saving lives when you do it)

something to consider.