A Look Back at 20 Years of Family Cord Blood Banking - "It may be hard to imagine a world before family cord blood banking, especially if you’ve decided to bank your child’s cord blood stem cells withCBR. But it was twenty years ago when David Harris, Ph.D. and professor of immunology at the University of Arizona, recognized the potential in newborn stem cells. When his son was born on June 24, 1992, he collected the very first cord blood stem cell sample in the world to be stored specifically for family use. And, as they say, the rest is history. Read below for Dr. Harris’ thoughts on the beginnings of cord blood banking and where he sees the industry is headed in the future."  

Cord Tissue Vs Cord Blood - "Cord tissue and cord blood are not exactly the same. Both are very important when it comes to harvesting them. Cord tissue is different it that it contains a stem cell called mesenchymal stem cells. Cord tissue is used in a different way than that of cord blood. Research in the medical field has unearthed some new and exciting ways to use mesenchymal stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells can be used used to help rehabilitate connective tissue. As stem cell research continues, it may be possible to use these stem cells in the treatment of strokes and spinal cord injuries. The possibilities are endless." 

Cord Blood saving lives - "Grayson Ommert is less than a day old, but he’s already a hero. The infant and his mother, Suzanne, donated their umbilical cord blood after he was born. What used to be discarded afterbirth, the blood from a mother’s placenta and umbilical cord is now being used as a potentially life-saving treatment for patients around the world".

Cord Blood Banking Saves Missouri Girl’s Life – Tonya Morris is spending quality time with her daughters Sunshine and 5-year-old Sparrow.These special moments are especially important for Sparrow. In 2008, at 1 year old she was found face down in the family’s swimming pool.  She didn't have a pulse or oxygen for 45 minutes causing severe brain damage that put her in a vegetative state. A year later Sparrow who was the 5th of the Morris’ 8 children received a reinfusion of her own cord blood. She was the first in the family to have it stored and the results were astonishing.Tonya shared her story with the Missouri Nurses Conference at the Lambert Marriott to speak out about how the stem cell clinical trial procedure at Duke University saved her daughter’s life. She says the $3,000 she spent on storage was priceless.Now this family can look forward to many years of happiness and joy with a feisty little girl who beat the odds.Sparrow is set to start kindergarten this fall.