Emerging uses of cord blood stem cells and legislative activity fueling cord
blood banking growth
SAN BRUNO, Calif., May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Cord Blood Registry (CBR), the
world's largest cord blood bank, today announced a continued increase in
sales, with 145% growth in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same
period in 2004. "We continue to see accelerating month over month robust
growth rate increases," said Johnnie Domingue, Cord Blood Registry's VP, COO
and CFO. "The number of families enrolling in the CBR program in March 2005
showed an increase of 157% over March 2004."
CBR attributes the surge in growth to greater awareness in the marketplace
regarding the value of cord blood stem cells for medical treatments within a
family. Recent legislative activity, both at the federal and state level, has
helped heighten the general public's understanding of the value of saving
umbilical cord blood and the vital non-controversial stem cells contained
within it. The increased governmental involvement is making a permanent
contribution toward educating expectant mothers; still today, it is estimated
that fewer than 25% of the 4 million pregnant women in this country are aware
that they have only one chance to save their newborn's cord blood.
"Nature offers only a small window of time to capture this resource, then
the opportunity to collect is lost," said Stephen Grant, VP of Communications
for CBR. "It is a tragedy that as much as 95% of all cord blood is disposed of
today as 'medical waste.' When all pregnant women are fully informed about
their option to either 1) donate their newborn's cord blood to a public bank
or 2) bank it for their family's use to treat diseases, then many more
families will decide to save this important resource," Grant continued.
The federal government and more than ten states have pending, or already
passed, legislation which, in part, mandates education to obstetrical patients
about cord blood donation options. Adding impetus to the issue, the
Institutes of Medicine (IoM), released a report on cord blood last month
specifying its recommendation that "patients should be educated on all cord
blood options prior to labor and delivery."
Cord Blood Registry provides services to forward-thinking expectant
couples wishing to preserve a type of "biological insurance" for their family.
Cord blood is collected through a risk-free procedure immediately after the
umbilical cord is cut; and it is a rich source of genetically related stem
cells that can be used in lifesaving medical treatments for the newborn,
siblings, and any other compatible genetic family members. Once transplanted,
the cells have the potential to repair damaged or diseased tissues with little
risk of rejection and up to double the rate of long-term survival when
compared to transplantation with cord blood cells from a genetically unrelated
donor. More than 75 serious, chronic conditions have treatments involving stem
cells.
About CBR
CBR is the world's largest newborn stem cell bank. CBR has been
collecting and processing newborn stem cells for family banking since 1995,
with profitable operations since 1999. There are over 300,000 units of cord
blood cells preserved for client families at CBR's state-of-the-art facility
in Tucson, Arizona. The company's research and development is focused on
advancing the collection, processing, and storage methods to optimize quality
and cell yield. Additionally, CBR facilitates collection of donated research
samples, made available for the nearly 200 research programs worldwide that
are focused on stem cell expansion and cell-based therapies. For more
information, visit http://www.cordblood.com, or call 1-888-CORD BLOOD. Cord
Blood Registry is a registered trademark of Cbr Systems, Inc.
Media Contact: Rita Kennen 1-800-588-6377, Ext. 239
rkennen@cordblood.com
SOURCE Cbr Systems
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Related links:
http://www.cordblood.com
CONTACT:
Rita Kennen of CBR, 1-800-588-6377, Ext. 239,
rkennen@cordblood.com
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