Via Cord Kit- Finally Got It!!!

I know I've expressed our desire to get the Via Cord Kit before, and went on about dreams of us leaving this thing behind, and forget it. Well... today we finally got the kit, and once I go and get my new bag next week, it is going straight into the bag!

 Our main reasons for getting this kit and storing not just cord blood, but also the cord tissue is for our future and our kid's future. I would rather have the kit, and have had it done, not needing it, than wishing we would have done it, and needed it. There are many different cancers and diseases it can help treat right now, but the window for this is wide open for the future. I just don't know why they don't go ahead and take the blood and tissue from everyone to do stem cell research with- it would be so easy, and there would be plenty of it available. We opted for the Via Cord- they are FDA approved, and we would personally rather have our own stuff, than use a public bank where you get a match like yours out if you need it. The public one is cheaper, but the Via Cord banking is not that expensive, and they offer 0% interest financed payments for a year on theirs- which is pretty nice. You can also accept gift donations for your account with Via Cord too. Anyone who would like to donate towards our account, let me know, and I can get the information for you to do this on your own. They have 3 different levels- we opted for the complete newborn kit- it includes both the cord blood and cord tissue collection. They also offer a genetic testing along with this for your newborn- we opted out of it.  Anyway, since Reid is our last baby, it was now or never. Our Midwife has done the Via Cord Kit retrieval before, along with a good majority of the doctors here in our area, so I'm not worried about something not being done right- makes me feel a little bit more comfortable knowing this is a common thing done in this area too.

I know some are wondering just what is involved with doing this- how it works on collecting, and taking the kit after it is performed to the place to be stored. Here is the process of what happens when you go in to have your baby, taking your Via Cord Kit...

What is the Process of Collecting Cord Tissue Stem Cells?

You have one opportunity to collect your newborn’s stem cells.

After your baby's umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, and after the cord blood has been collected, your doctor or midwife will collect as much of the umbilical cord as possible and place it in the protective cup provided in your ViaCord collection kit. The complete collection kit, including the protective cup and the cord blood bag, is then returned to ViaCord’s processing laboratory by medical courier. Cord tissue collection is safe for both the mother and baby and can be done after vaginal or cesarean births.

Upon arrival at the laboratory, the collected segment of umbilical cord is processed by extracting the stem cells from the surrounding tissue. Once Viacord’s proven method of extraction is complete, the stem cells are then cryopreserved in a multi-compartment bag making them ready for use should there be a case of need.

How are Stem Cells Used?

Cord blood stem cells can turn into all of the different types of blood cells found in the bloodstream, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Cord blood is the fastest growing source of stem cells in pediatric transplants ², and is used today to treat nearly 80-life threatening diseases, including certain types of cancers and blood disorders. Over 25,000 transplants worldwide have used cord blood stem cells in treatment. ³
Cord tissue stem cells do not generate blood cells. Instead, they turn into a variety of cells that are able to retain their special features as they self-renew. Cord tissue stem cells have emerged as the next generation of discovery in stem cell research. Although there are no medical treatments using these stem cells today, preclinical research points to a future full of therapeutic possibilities.

How is the umbilical cord tissue collected and does it hurt?As with cord blood, the collection process is easy and painless. First, your baby’s umbilical cord is clamped and cut, and the cord blood is collected. Your health care professional will then collect as much of the umbilical cord tissue as possible and place it into the sterile, protective cup provided in your ViaCord collection kit.