Leukemia is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines. In fact, around 3,977 patients were diagnosed with the disease in 2012 alone. With mortality rate at an alarming 5.3%, this silent killer needs to be addressed to prevent more people succumbing to the life-threatening condition.
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| cord blood banking gives babies a lifetime of protection |
One of the modern treatments for leukemia is stem cell transplant using cord blood. This is blood that remains in the umbilical cord after a baby is born. It contains the healthiest stem cells that can replenish blood, regenerate damaged bone marrow, treat blood cancers, and correct genetic defects. Potentially, it is also a source for cellular therapy and regenerative medicine.
Through cord blood banking, families now have a chance to survive fatal genetic diseases like leukemia and other blood-related disease. In Asia, Cordlife Group Limited is among the first to offer this service and technology. The company is an international provider of umbilical cord blood and cord lining services.
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| preserving stem cells = preserving life |
Cordlife Philippines, officially launched in February 2010, is the country's first and only private cord blood processing and cryopreservation facility aimed to give Filipinos the chance to benefit from the advantages of having a readily available supply of cord blood.
Earlier today, Cordlife launched One Blood to create awareness on cord blood banking's importance as an available standard option for families who may need stem cell transplant. This national advocacy is in partnership with the Philippine Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine (PSMFM).
Under One Blood, free cord blood banking will be given to chosen pregnant mothers with a family history of diseases or who have family members with disease/s that can be treated by cord blood and who might be a candidate for stem cell transplantation.
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| a newborn's umbilical cord contains the healthiest stem cells |
During the press launch, it was announced that one family will be sponsored each month until December 2017 and choosing them will be based on need. Cordlife officials are hopeful that they can identify families who would benefit the most from the free service.
Apart from cord blood banking, other services will be extended to the beneficiaries such as:
• Transplant Care is a one-time subsidy of SGD 50,000 to partially cover medical costs of transplantation for the child whose cord blood unit is stored, applicable for use in standard treatment at any accredited hospital in the Philippines
• Cord Blood Network - an assisted search for matching cord blood for legal parents and grandparents of the Cordlife child, tapping Asia's largest network of public cord blood banks.
• Cordlife Quality Guarantee that assures parents of a cord blood unit of suitable match or SGD 50,000 to defray medical costs if the cord blood stem cells lost its viability at the point of transplant, as well as additional Professional Indemnity Insurance to safeguard the family from financial loss resulting from direct malpractice.
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| many Cordlife moms attest that the investment is worth the peace of mind |
Some of the popular Filipino personalities who have banked their babies' cord blood include TV personalities Jolina Magdangal-Escueta, Pia Guanio-Mago, and Dimples Romana; models Patty Laurel-Filart and Kelly Misa-Fernandez; and broadcast and radio personalities Nina Corpuz-Rodriguez, Delamar Arias, and Andi Manzano.
For those who are wondering how much it costs: an 18-year cord blood banking contract is worth P165,000. To know more about One Blood, call Cordlife at (02) 332.1888 or log on to www.cordlife.ph.
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