Stem Cell Banking - How far viable?

sonu911 · Post by **sonu911** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 2:59 pm

Dear Ladies

As I am approaching my due date, I have a question regarding stem cell banking? Has anyone done it and how far do you all think its viable?

To confess, I am having doubts beacuse these stem cell banking people are calling me again and again like a bank agent and luring me into it...I am forced to think if I am being conned!! Well, I know they have to sell their programme to people...but before investing money its always better to seek advice.

Well, I have read quite a few articles about it, but I am having serious doubts whether teh company really preserves it well for 21 years.

Looking forward to the replies.

Rinnie · Post by **Rinnie** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 6:23 pm

I don't think they know how long it lasts because it's so new, but they use the same freezing as eggs and sperm and that seems to do ok.
I read an article that talked about all the diseases that it could help, both in the child or the parents and the list will grow in the next few years. Diabetes research is really focusing on stem cells to help totally cure so it's definitely worth thinking about.
It seems like after the initial investment, the yearly cost isn't too bad. But I would do it at a sperm/egg bank that's been around for awhile.
I think they're pushing for sales because of the economy & it's new so they think they can make money.

Rin

AmandaM · Post by **AmandaM** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:33 pm

sonu

I talked to my OB about this. She said for the amount of money that it costs, you have to pay for 20 years plus the collection fee, she does not think it is worth it. Currently, the only major thing that it cures is leukemia. They are working on diabetes research, but currently that is not treatable with stem cells.

We decided against it.

sonu911 · Post by **sonu911** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:10 am

Dear Rinnie and Amanda

Thanks for your inputs.

I also read articles about the number of diseases it can cure but there's is considerable amount of research going on and hence there's lot of doubts.

I think I will also vote against it!!

Rinnie · Post by **Rinnie** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:09 am

I'm going to do it. My Dad is a doctor, and he feels the advances in medicine in the next 10 yrs will be huge. Stem cell research is in the forefront right now.
It also treats lymphoma which is quite prevalent today in different forms.
I found a bank associated with a well known sperm bank operating for 30 yrs & they have a payment plan where you can pay over 10 months. It's $214.50/month for 10 months for the 5 yr plan, $257/Mo for the 10 yr plan & $337/Mo for the 20 yr plan.

Rin

angram · Post by **angram** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:40 am

I agree with Rinnie and we have also decided to bank our babies cord blood. It is a little pricey, but if my family or children need it and it works, it was well worth the investment.

JamieP · Post by **JamieP** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:44 am

I am in agreement with both Rinnie and angram - I kind of see it as a type of insurance. With medical developments the way they are things could change a lot in the next 10 years. If I never use it or if it gets surpassed by something else well so be it but if someone in my family needed it and I didn't have it I would find it hard to live with myself.

Jamie

woodcliff · Post by **woodcliff** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:05 am

I wish we had done it. I had an emergency c-section, so there wasn't really time to discuss it with the OB, who was a partner in the office of my regular OB...

I don't know, not many people bank their cord blood...if your family has a history of genetic problems...do it. Talk to your OB, and possibly a genetic counselor.

It's fairly expensive to bank.
good luck

bdantonio · Post by **bdantonio** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:33 pm

we did it with our last pg.. i had to have 3xrays during pregnancy and it rasies chances of lukemia and i lost my brother in law to it at age 18 so to me its worth it

kerpupples · Post by **kerpupples** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:14 pm

Check out the wiki on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cord_blood

Personally, I think I may opt to bank mine publicly if my doctor is willing to donate their time. At least that way someone is bound to benefit from it even if I never need it. There appear to only be a few diseases where it is proven that autologous cord blood has an advantage over publicly banked stem cells.

babyloves · Post by **babyloves** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 8:36 pm

The cord blood registry is really trying to get us to bank any way we can, and i don't like their approach -its everywhere... It's a fairly new procedure and we don't know its value quite yet. I think they are overcharging for it by making us feel that we'll lose out if we don't. I know we fear the worst as mothers, but I'm just going to trust in God for know and hope for the best.

alreadyblessed · Post by **alreadyblessed** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:35 pm

Hi sonu!
I didn't bank the cord blood with my first two pregnancies and I have decided to do it for this one. In the over all picture, I know that money is tight for everyone, and I am not exempt from that. When my second daughter was born they thought she had a debilitating neurological disease. Thankfully, after years of waiting and testing she is o.k. I think to myself that paying $2,000 up front and then $125 yearly is so worth it. God forbid anyone in my family got sick and had something that was treatable with the cord blood and I didn't bank it, I would never forgive myself.
I was signed up to go to one of the Viacord seminars with my friend. My daughter was sick and I couldn't go. At the seminar, they gave a $300 discount ticket. When I called, they honored the discount even though I had not attended.
We spend so much money on things that are not needed, I really think this is something that is worth it. You can also put it on your registry. They don't only treat leukemia either, they treat many many diseases with it. Call them, and they will send you a packet with all the info. \
Good luck my friend.

teachertam · Post by **teachertam** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:26 am

Ladies: We decided to do it. It was a lump sum payment up front and is just $125/yr for storage fees. You hope that you will never need it, but in the rare case that you do, it is nice to know that it is available.

Tammy

moni2224 · Post by **moni2224** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:01 am

Hi ladies,
We are planning on doing it. I have a couple of co-workers who have done it and they each want me to use their place b/c they get a credit (it's almost worse than having the banks/registries calling) . I am just curious as to your opinions on the places. I have looked at Viacord and they look to be established. Any thoughts?

Stem Cell Banking - How far viable?

Stem Cell Banking - How far viable?

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