CORDLIFE PHILIPPINES launches UMBILICAL CORD BANKING

Mommies and first-moms, here's the good news for you!

 

Cordlife Philippines, the leading cord blood and tissue banking service provider in the country recently launced their newest service -- Umbilical Cord Banking. Cordlife continues its commitment to innovation the offering that allows expectant parents to store their newborn’s umbilical cord—and the stem cells it contains–for potential use in future therapeutic applications.

Dr. Arvin Faundo, Medical Director of Cordlife Philippines, discussed Banking on cells. According to him the umbilical cord is abundant with two types of stem cells—epithelial stem cells (EpSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)—which hold immense potential in repairing injured tissues and organs as well as treating various diseases.

 

Epithelial stem cells (EpSCs) form the lining tissues that connect, support or surround other structures and organs of the body including cornea, skin, and liver. Based on current research, EpSCs are considered to be a possible key resource for epidermal and skin regeneration as they have demonstrated potential in treating surface ulcers, burns and tissue trauma such as those from accidents. They are also being studied in regenerative medicine for corneal replacement.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), meanwhile, are the building blocks of the structural tissues of the human body such as bone, cartilage, muscle, fibrous tissues and fat. Current clinical trials are on-going worldwide to uncover the potential applications of MSCs, which can possibly include repairing damage caused by stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, amyotropic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy, liver diseases, diabetic foot ulcers and diabetes.

The cord blood is a proven source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) or blood-forming stem cells used in the treatment of blood disorders, immunodeficiency, and certain cancers. MSCs can also be found in cord blood, though in much smaller quantities.

“In this way, umbilical cord banking complements cord blood banking,” commented Dr. Faundo. “Both services allow for the maximum recovery of all types of stem cells, increasing options for possible future use.”

To facilitate collection, a personalized kit will be provided to umbilical cord banking customers which can be brought to the hospital during delivery. The specimen will be picked up by Cordlife up within 24 hours from actual time of delivery and, afterwards, processed and stored in cryogenic storage tanks at its UP-Ayalaland Technohub facility in Quezon City within 48 hours.

Apart from its highly-secure world-class facility which operates 365 days a year, customers also benefit from Cordlife’s use of Cell Optima, an advanced patented technology for stem cell isolation.  Developed by Singapore-based clinician-scientists and exclusively available at Cordlife, the technology can isolate and expand EpSCs and MSCs from the umbilical cord, giving families more medical options in the future.

Moreover, unlike other stem cell banks, Cordlife cryo preserves stem cells in its original form, allowing superior quality cells to be derived for future medical therapy. This also lets families take advantage of future advancements in stem cell technology.

“At the heart of umbilical cord banking is helping parents secure their child’s future well-being,” stated Yee. “Cordlife, with its expertise and access to best-available technology, allows them to do exactly this—preparing for any eventuality and safeguarding their family’s health.”

Meet the newest Cordlife mom ambassador – Ms. China Cojuangco

“Being a first time mom, I want to make sure that I do everything right for my baby, Lucia, and my family. Part of this is being prepared for any health concerns, specially those that in the past were considered serious or even incurable. It is possible! We parents are always on the look-out for ways to spare our children from any threats, especially illnesses, of which many can be passed down from previous generations. I did my research on Cordlife. Aside from feeling more prepared for Lucia, her umbilical cord tissue and cord blood may also be used by family members as long as they match! The deal was sealed for us after seeing Cordlife’s solid list of families who successfully used their baby’s stored cord blood for treatment using a unique technology called Cell Optima to isolate two cell lines in the baby’s umbilical cord. This is very important to us considering that we have a history of cancer and diabetes in our own families. Our Cordlife experience has been nothing but hassle-free with a generous helping of heartfelt concern for my family’s well-being. From the first time we made an inquiry to the day I delivered my baby. And though it's something we hope we will never need to use, I can sleep better at night knowing that reliable hands are safekeeping my baby’s stem cells.

For more info on cord banking you may reach Cordlife at:

Unit 101 Building H, U.P.-AyalaLand TechnoHub

Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines

Tel. No.: (02) 470 1735 / 332 1888

E-mail address: info@ph.cordlife.com

Website : www.cordlife.ph