National Legislation Provides for Patients Without Family Matched Stem Cells
SAN BRUNO, Calif., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- When the President signed HR
2520, The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 into law, the country
made a commitment to establish a permanent resource for stem cell therapy for
patients without access to a genetically related stem cell sample. Thomas
Moore, CEO of Cord Blood Registry, the world's largest family newborn stem
cell bank, was among the few selected guests who attended the recent bill
signing ceremony in the West Wing of the White House.
"Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and other bill sponsors in the House
and Senate worked hard to ensure passage of this important legislation by the
close of 2005," said Moore. "It's the first step toward a commitment to ensure
that every expectant parent is fully informed about their newborn cord blood
options: to privately (family) bank, store for a relative with a medical
need, or donate to a public bank. Otherwise, their newborn's stem cells will
simply be discarded at the hospital."
By citing the recommendation of last year's Institute of Medicine (IOM)
report, the legislation, once enacted, will ensure that all pregnant women are
provided a "balanced perspective and clear information" about public donation,
family banking, or disposal of their newborns' cord blood.
The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 also recognizes the
medical value of related stem cells in another way. A component of the
legislation allocates 5% of the program's funding to a "demonstration program"
for directed donation of cord blood for the benefit of a relative with a
medical need. "The establishment of a directed donation program validates the
superior medical outcomes with related newborn stem cells," said Moore. "CBR
recognized the need for this type of a public service and was the first cord
blood bank to start a directed donation program in 1996." Through its
Designated Transplant Program(SM), CBR has helped more than 1000 families,
with a medical need by storing their newborn's cord blood for them at no cost.
"We have known for years that transplants with cord blood from a relative
result in survival rates that are two times greater than transplants using
cord blood from an unrelated donor," explained Moore. "This new legislation
will help ensure that all expectant parents learn about the value of cord
blood stem cells, family banking, as well as the societal benefit of public
donation."
About CBR
CBR is the world's largest family newborn stem cell bank. CBR's laboratory
has been collecting and processing newborn stem cells for family banking since
1992. The company has recorded profits from its operating activities since
1999. Over 400,000 units of newborn stem cells, for more than 115,000 client
families, are preserved at CBR's new 80,000-square-foot 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,
which are 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, Media Relations Manager, 1.800.588.6377
Ext.239, rkennen@cordblood.com
SOURCE Cbr Systems, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.cordblood.com
CONTACT:
Rita Kennen, Media Relations Manager of Cbr
Systems, Inc., 1-800-588-6377, ext. 239, or rkennen@cordblood.com
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