Hearing people getting struck with leukemia and realizing it is a death sentence is so distressing for family, friends, and people in general. Aside from the usual treatments, prayer is the only option left for that sick person. Deep down inside, we know that we are helpless against this fight and simply hope for the best. Now there is another possible solution but early preparation is required. Because the process is quite new, the public has some doubts and may totally ignore the potential of this procedure. An educational information campaign is now the thrust to let the public know that there is another way to cure or prevent leukemia—stem cell transplant using cord blood.
One of the leading causes of death in the Philippines is leukemia. Around 3,977 were diagnosed with the disease in 2012 alone. The mortality rate is at an alarming 5.3%. It is a silent killer among us that needs to be addressed.
There is Hope. The key is in preparing for the Future. Stem cell transplant using cord blood is one of the treatments for leukemia.
Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord after birth. It contains the healthiest stem cells that can replenish blood, regenerate damaged bone marrow, treat blood cancers and correct genetic defects. It is also a potential 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 diseases.
Cordlife Group Limited is an international provider of umbilical cord blood and cord lining services. It is also among the first to offer this service and technology in Asia.
In February 2010, Cordlife Philippines was officially launched. It is the country’s first and only private cord blood processing and cryopreservation facility aimed to give the Filipino the chance to benefit from the advantages of having a readily available supply of cord blood.
To create awareness on cord blood banking’s importance as an available standard option for families who may need stem cell transplant, Cordlife recently launched One Blood.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 family history of diseases or with family members with disease/s that can be treated by cord blood and who might be a candidate for stem cell transplantation.
Other services that will be extended to the beneficiaries include: Transplant Care, Cord Blood Network, and Cordlife Quality Guarantee.
To know more about One Blood, call Cordlife at (02) 3321888 or log on to http://www.cordlife.ph
