The GCN spoke to Erna West, the general manager and a product specialist for CryoSave, South Africa\u2019s leading stem cell storage company about the options available to parents regarding storing their baby\u2019s umbilical cord stem cells at birth to help treat any blood-related illnesses in future.<\/p>\n
Twenty-one years ago, West\u2019s daughter Gizelle was diagnosed with Fanconi anaemia.<\/p>
A rare hereditary disease that mainly leads to bone marrow failure.<\/p>\n
It results in the decreased production of all types of blood cells.<\/p>
West was an exact donor match for her daughter\u2019s bone marrow transplant and her daughter now leads a healthy life at 30.<\/p>\n
Now an advocate for stem cell therapy and storage, West credits stem cells with saving her daughter\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
\u201cStem cell storage is a non-invasive procedure and does not interfere with your birthing plan,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
According to CryoSave, at birth, the baby\u2019s umbilical cord is filled with millions of stem cells.<\/p>\n
These cells are young and untainted and can be stored for over 20 years.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Roseacres presents Little Life Pregnancy and Baby Workshop<\/a><\/p>\n Education on a healthy pregnancy needed<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Umbilical cord stem cells are a perfect match for your baby and can provide an option for treating over 80 blood diseases including bone marrow failure or leukemia and have an excellent chance of being a match for a sibling.<\/p>\n \u201cCord blood contains blood-forming stem cells that can be collected, processed and stored for the potential treatment of blood-related diseases.<\/p>\n \u201cMore than 35 000 cord blood transplants have been performed in the world over the last 30 years,\u201d West said.<\/p>\n There aren\u2019t any public cord blood banks in SA and a private cord blood bank is the only option if parents want to gain access to this technology.<\/p>\n Cord blood has distinct advantages in comparison to bone marrow such as:<\/p>\n \u2022 Abundant source adult stem cells.<\/p>\n \u2022 Easily accessible with non-invasive collection of cells and no risk to the mother or her baby.<\/p>\n \u2022 Display an impressive multiplying potential.<\/p>\n \u2022 Relatively tolerant of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) mismatches and thereby show low rates of graft-vs-host disease.<\/p>\n \u2022 Rarely contaminated with underlying viruses resulting in greater acceptance of UCB stem cells in comparison to those from bone marrow.<\/p>\n An on-going study has published results showing that cord blood can be stored for more than two decades.<\/p>\n \u201cThe hot topic in regenerative medicine is the treatment of cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder with cord blood.<\/p>\n \u201cResults published in 2017 have shown significant improvement and subsequently the FDA approved extended access for any patients with cord blood stored at a private cord blood bank,\u201d said West.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n