Finding Broadband in the UK

Finding a cheap broadband supplier in the UK can be difficult. There are so many options and it can be hard to sort through all of the different offers. No one wants to overpay for his or her broadband connection, but it's almost impossible to determine whether one has really found the best possible deal--at least that's the way it has been up until now!

BroadbandSuppliers.co.uk is out to change the way people find their broadband service. They provide all of the information anyone would need to make a smart broadband provider decision in one easy-to-navigate location.

The site includes several articles on key broadband-related issues and an impressive list of ISP reviews in addition to other helpful information.

If you need ADSL broadband or just want to make sure your current package is really up to snuff, BroadbandSuppliers is a great place to do your homework.

Catholic-targeted Message re: Cord Blood Strikes the Usual Chord

The Cord Blood Registry, a well-known umbilical cord blood bank, is doing its best to get the word out about the services it offers. A recent article in the California Catholic Daily detailed the company's efforts and services.

They wrote:

"The Cord Blood Registry, a blood bank in San Bruno, has launched a nationwide campaign to increase public awareness of cord-blood preservation -- a practice that can bolster ethical stem-cell research and help expectant parents provide for their child's future well-being."

That's the standard explanation and it's serving companies like The Cord Blood Registry well. What was more interesting was the very next paragraph in the article.

It read:

"Unlike embryonic stem cells, which have as yet no human therapeutic applications, stem cells obtained from the umbilical cord and other human tissues are used in more than 60 forms of successful treatment. However, every year in the U.S., about 15,000 people need a stem-cell transplant but cannot find a suitable donor match."

The positioning of umbilical cord blood as an alternative to embryonic stem cells is becoming increasingly common. This was especially true in the weeks leading up to President Bush's veto of stem cell research legislation.

Umbilical cord blood is an interesting topic. It's right on the intersection of politics, religion, science, medicine and business.

Cryo-Cell Tells its Story

Cryo-Cell International, Inc. recently issued a statement regarding the company's financial health and future plans. According to the folks at Cryo-Cell, things are going well in the umbilical cord blood banking industry and the outlook for the future is quite rosy.

The statement was issued prior to shareholder votes on a number of issues and was designed to prevent a takeover by David Portny by providing "the whole story".

Here's an excerpt from the Cryo-Cell statement:

"In spite of intense industry competition, Cryo-Cell's revenue increased by 129% from FY03 to FY06 from $7.5 million to $17.2 million. Following nine consecutive quarters of profitability from Q104 through Q106, in early 2006, your Board made the decision to invest in marketing activities and product diversification."

Whether you have an interest in the company or not, the statement provides an interesting look into the cord blood business and how companies like Cryo-Cell are approaching it. You can read the "whole story" here.

Online Poker for Apple Fans

The DOJ here in the U.S.A. has dropped the hammer on online gambling, but there are many question marks surrounding the legality of participation. Additionally, efforts are underway to carve out an exception for one popular online diversion that can be categorized as a game of skill instead of as a game of chance--poker. Meanwhile, many U.S. players continue to participate in free games and money games. The rest of the world is seemingly just as poker-crazy. It seems like everyone plays a game of online Hold 'Em once in awhile.

But what about Mac users? It isn't always easy to find a good game if you're an Apple person. At least once site, however, is out to change that.

Mac Poker Online is a one-stop source for poker information critical to Mac users. It provides all of the breaking news on the poker front as well as tons of resources for Apple users who'd just love to check-raise a sucker before raking in a big pot.

Whether you play it tight even when you're in the big blind or if you're willing to pay to see the flop if you're holding 3-8 unsuited, you'll find something of interest at Mac Poker Online. They have a list of all the Mac-friendly online poker rooms, a catalog of various online casino bonuses, and more.

It doesn't matter if you're game is up there with Amarillo Slim's or just as bad as my uncle Ed's, Mac Poker Online is worth a gander.

If Barney Frank and the pro-poker lobby in Washington prevails and it becomes 100% clear that U.S. players should be able to make a few bucks by testing their skills at virtual poker tables, things will get even more entertaining for money players. If the current system remains in place, you can still find some U.S.-friendly online poker rooms who're ready to welcome Macintosh users with open arms.

Gambling is one thing. Poker is another. It's challenging, exciting and a world-class way to test your skills while virtually meeting new people. It's only fair that the Mac users of the world should have a chance to get in on all the fun, too. Mac Poker Online is definitely there for anyone with a piece of fruit on their computer!

Byrne Chastises Politics

"Most of the public is illiterate enough when it comes to science. To compound it by twisting science for political purposes doesn't help."

Truer words were never spoken. That's the closing line from a Chicago Tribune-published Op-Ed piece by Dennis Byrne.

Byrne, covering the stem cell debate, discusses the political motivations on all sides for attacking and supporting different stem cell research agendas. Embryonic stem cells are controversial--particularly with those who have religious objections to their use--and that's led to some interesting claims about the efficacy of alternatives, including umbilical cord blood.

Byrne argues that non-ESC (embryonic stem cell) options aren't yet entirely proven and that one should take the pro-life argument with a grain of salt. At the same time, he observes that the arguments made in favor of ESC research often have deep flaws, too.

It's a good read.

Cord Blood Company Reducing Debt

According to a recently released press statement, Cord Blood America is reducing its debt via acquisition of superior, outside loans.

This progress may be indicative of the umbilical cord blood industry's relative soundness. With banking increasing and additional attention being paid to cord blood and its powerful medical potential, there is every reason to believe that good companies in the banking field will prosper.

I don't have a great deal of personal knowledge about Cord Blood America and won't make any predictions regarding its viability. The information provided in the press release, if accurate, does appear to be quite positive.

Here's an excerpt:
"Cord Blood America is the parent company of CorCell, which facilitates umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation for expectant parents and their children. Its mission is to be the most respected stem cell preservation company in the industry."

Awesome Deals via Coupon Chief

Most of us are interested in getting the best possible deals when making purchases of most every type. Finding coupons or locating special offers helps in making that possible. Unfortunately, most of us don't have the time or patience to constantly investigate bargains and would prefer to spend our time doing something other than scouring the Sunday paper and clipping coupons.

Wouldn't it be nice if you could visit one website and find a host of great deals and coupon offers?

Well, you can. It's CouponChief.com and it is simply amazing. They've teamed with a wide assortment of retailers to bring the public some eye-popping deals.

I could talk about the deals at CouponChief.com in general terms until I turned blue in the face, but the best way to show you its potential and value is with a few examples. Check out these awesome deals:

• Target deals: Spend $50 at the popular retailer and get $5 off. Just like that!
• Spring Hills Nurseries deals: It's gardening season. Why not spend $50 or more with Spring Hills and get a whopping $25 off your order? That's a deal!!!
• Henry Field's deals: This popular seed and nursery outfit has some great CouponChief offers. 10% off blueberries. $10 off when you spend more than $30. Awesome!

The nice thing is that you can browse through hundreds of great deals and special offers easily and conveniently. It's one-stop bargain hunting!

Umbilical Cord Blood Remains a Conservative Favorite

Conservatives, particularly those of the pro-life type, continue to support funding for research and the use of umbilical cord blood in medical treatments.

They correctly point out the numerous advantages of cord blood and the great potential it has shown in the treatment of scores of diseases. However, their appreciation of cord blood is not related merely to its efficacy.

Cord blood is getting support from pro-life corners as an alternative to other means of stem cell acquisition. Specifically, if they can position umbilical cord blood stem cells as a feasible alternative to fetal stem cells, they can dismantle the primary justification for the more controversial version of stem cell research. That also allows them an opportunity to discourage science to investigate using methods the pro-lifers may deem unethical or immoral.

A recent Baptist Press piece contained rhetoric commonplace in conservative publications when discussing stem cell research:

"Unlike research using embryos, extracting stem cells from non-embryonic sources -– such as umbilical cord blood, placentas, fat and bone marrow -– has nearly universal support. Such research has produced treatments for at least 72 ailments, according to Do No Harm, a coalition promoting ethics in research. These include spinal cord injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and sickle cell anemia."

The science-related observations are correct. The ethical debate, however, I'll leave to others.

Using Cord Blood to Treat Malignant Diseases

The folks at American Chronicle are back on the cord blood case again. In case you didn't know it, the American Chronicle has been publishing a massive series of articles on umbilical cord blood. One of the most recent deals with the treatment of malignant diseases.

Here's an excerpt:

"A team of cord blood cell researchers transplanted stem cells to a thirty seven year old woman who was undergoing a spinal cord injury. Even after being paralyzed for about 19 years, she showed fast recovery. She was injected cord blood cells right at the particular area of injury in her spine. Within three weeks of transplantation, progress was noteworthy. She started walking with a little support and today she claims to walk without any assistance."

Now, I've referenced these articles before and will continue to do so, but I thought it was worth mentioning a little bit about the publication. Anyone (assuming their writing can pass muster) can write for the American Chronicle. The positions are unpaid and publication accepts no liability for the opinions of its authors.

In any case, you can find some interesting stuff there, and it's worth checking out.

Researching Refrigerators Online, Buying Locally...

Joel Toledano calls the results found by refrigerator searchers at Krillion "actionable". I call them valuable! Toledano, the company's CEO, has created the unique Krillion Localization Engine. This search tool canvasses the Internet to find the best possible local search results to help people find the appliances they need locally.

Krillion, which started in February, is built on a simple fact: People search online for information prior to making a major appliance purchase, but they're far more likely to buy locally once they've made a decision. Krillion is building a gap over the online/local chasm with its handy tool. Now, you can find exactly what you need AND find exactly where to buy it at the same time. You'll be able to find out who can help you with one of those new General Electric Refrigerators you love!

With summer here and temperatures skyrocketing, our refrigerators are working hard to keep our food cool and our ice cube trays full. Every year, the summer temperature spikes overwhelm refrigerator compressors, leaving consumers in need of new equipment. If you end up in the market for a new refrigerator, take a look at Krillion. You'll have the tools to make the wisest possible new appliance purchase at your disposal.

Private Cord Blood Banking Popular

A Medical News Today article discusses the constantly-raging controversy of whether umbilical cord blood should be banked privately for individual use or donated freely to more publicly-accessible cord blood storage facilities.

The article itself is an interesting summary of the arguments on both sides, slanted a bit toward advocacy of non-individual banking. However, the most interesting gem in the piece was this comment:
"These promises of cures have had a definite effect: 'More than 600,000 people around the world have already deposited cord blood in private blood banks,' explained Professor Willem E. Fibbe from Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands at the 12th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA), held in Vienna from June 7 to 10. 'That is a substantially larger number than have contributed to public donor stem cell banks.'"

Although the popularity of private umbilical cord blood banking has been obvious for some time, it was interesting to find that the number of depositors opting for individual paid storage outnumbers free donations so significantly.

One could read this as evidence that the alleged cost-prohibitiveness of private storage is over-stated by critics of private cord blood banks. Alternatively, one could argue that the numbers simply underline the need for greater awareness of donation options.

In any case, it's a fascinating observation and you can find it in this article.

Texas Cord Blood Bank Excited for Future

An article at MySanAntonio.com discusses a Texas (USA) cord blood bank and why the people involved with it are excited about the future.

The article notes, in part: "There's no doubt that cord blood is the wave of the future, and that it will be used more and more in medical treatments, and possibly will replace bone marrow in the future," said Dr. Norman Kalmin, CEO of the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center."

The article isn't really a detailed profile piece on the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center. Instead, the MySA article serves primarily as an introduction to the potential of cord blood and discusses the process of collection and storage in general terms.

It also mentions research published in The Lancet advocating the use of umbilical cord blood as a means of treating diseases.

If you're interested in the cord blood scene in the Lonestar State, read all about it here.

Making Reservations the Smart Way

It's summer time and that means travel time. If you haven't already taken one holiday, you probably have a vacation in the works. There are many expenses with which to wrestle and a series of aggravations to confront when planning your perfect trip. Fortunately, one website seems committed to making the process easy, affordable and convenient.

HotelReservations.com is a great site through which to book hotels, motels and resorts for your travel needs. The site offers worldwide coverage and combines its already-competitive rates with some amazing discounts, too. If you're in need of hotel reservations, check out HotelReservations.com.

Here are a few examples of the kind of reservations I was able to find on the site.

The Raphael Hotel
I found a room at the Raphael Hotel, a four-star property on Kansas City's Country Club Plaza for $151.00 per night on a randomly-selected July evening. When I then tried to find a room at the Raphael's site, I was surprised not only to see that the price was considerably higher, but that they didn't even have a room available on that same evening! The folks at HotelReservations.com know how to secure a room and deliver it at a great price.

Ascot Motel
I didn't want to experiment with high-end properties only, so I decided to choose a random hotel near Atlantic City's boardwalk as another mini case-study. I could book rooms at the Ascot Motel (a block away from the casinos and boardwalk) through HotelReservations.com for well under $100 per night. Another popular hotel reservation site quoted the same property with an average price of $134. That's a substantial savings!

You can also book other travel needs through the site. They have tabs for airline bookings, vacation property rentals and automobile rentals, too.

If you're looking for a fast, easy and affordable way to secure hotel reservations, HotelReservations.com is a natural choice!

Cord Blood vs. Baby Teeth?

File this one under "wow, that's interesting"!

There may be evidence to suggest that cells found in baby teeth (sometimes referred to as milk teeth) may have properties similar to the stem cells found in umbilical cord blood. That's right, the tooth fairy has been running off with potentially life-saving treatment sources for centuries!

Already, at least one business has been created to assist in the accumulation and storage of baby teeth due to the potential therapeutic value of the cells contained within them.

It's too early to claim that baby teeth have any more potential value than cord blood, but the prospects are interesting. After all, you only get one opportunity to secure umbilical cord blood, but every kid has a mouthful of baby teeth!

You can read more about the milk teeth cells here.

Digital Picture Frames are a Great Idea

Okay, you have a digital camera and you're taking great pictures left and right. You could print them all out and then sock them away in a series of photo albums at which you might glance once every five years or so. Or, you could frame the snapshots and put them on display in your home.

There are problems either way. If you go the photo album route, you really don't get the full enjoyment of the pictures. If you opt to frame and display, you will run out of available wall space in about ten minutes!

Fortunately, there is a good solution to the problem: a digital picture frame. They look like a standard picture frame but they're actually small dedicated LCD monitors that show your pictures off in the best possible clarity. There's no printing involved and you simply load your digital photos directly to the frame.

That makes changing pictures a snap. It also allows you to use one frame to display several photos. They can be set to auto-rotate or to be manually "clicked through". One picture frame can take care of a houseful of photos!

Digitalframez.com is a leader in the digital photo frame business. They specialize in these handy solutions to the photo-glut problem and offer a variety of makes and models of top-notch frames. If you're tired of the growing stack of photo albums, unused camera cards and crowded walls, check out their amazing selection of digital frames!

Public vs. Private Cord Blood Storage Debate Receives Coverage

No one really argues that cord blood has some amazing medical treatment value and that there's is potential for even more impressive developments down the road. The stem cells found in umbilical cord blood avoid the usual "pro-life" objections to fetal stem cells and everyone believes there's value in non-controversial cord blood.

There is, however, one area of debate that continues to rage. Should families store and maintain their children's cord blood in private banks (maintaining control over the blood and securing its use for the child in question, but paying for the privilege) or should they donate the umbilical cord blood to banks (costing nothing and making the blood available to other potential patients)?

There are arguments and accusations on both sides of the issue. A recent story on News 8 Austin does a good job of laying out the positions from both camps. If you have an interest in umbilical cord blood or the debate surrounding it, the story justifies a moment of your attention.

Advertise on Blogs with Smorty

If you haven't heard of Smorty yet, you soon will. Smorty is a service that bridges the gap between bloggers and advertisers who'd like to "get the word out" about their products and services.

Smorty works under a simple premise. Bloggers write opinion posts that contain links to the sites operated by the advertisers. The bloggers receive payment in exchange for their commentaries and advertisers receive the publicity and valuable backlinks to their sites.

If you want to advertise on blogs or have every considered running a blog for money, investigate Smorty. It's an elegant solution to the needs of both bloggers and businesses. Everyone gets what they need! The blogger can get paid to blog and the business can secure valuable and affordable blog advertising.

If you want to make money online, you need good exposure and search engine placement. Inbound links from Smorty bloggers can help you on both fronts. If you have your own blog, Smorty makes it simple to generate extra income while writing interesting posts.

Saving Lives with Umbilical Cord Blood

"The umbilical cord is a major source of stem cells, which don't have to be a perfect match when transplanted to restore the immune system of a cancer patient. There is no controversy over these cells, as there is with embryonic stem cells."

Those are the words of Dr. Jay Aldersberg, who recently wrote a great piece on the potential value of cord blood donation that appears at 7Online.com. The report, entitled "Umbilical Cord Donations Help Saves Lives" explains exactly why many mothers may want to consider donating their newborn's cord blood for storage.

Aldersberg's piece makes a strong argument in favor of donation. He explains that people can donate cord blood free of charge and that the umbilical cord blood has amazing treatment potential for those stricken with many different maladies.

You can read the doctor's argument in favor of cord blood donation here.

Shopping Cart Software for Online Sellers

Shopping cart software is a must if you plan on doing business online. If you run an online business, you've probably noticed that there seems to be a million and one ways to operate your online shopping cart. Some methods are cheap, but lack flexibility. Others are costly, but require a great deal of attention, expertise and resources. Reliability can be an issue, too.

Fortunately, Ashop has devised a hosted shopping cart software solution that provides great features and reliability while maintaining a highly competitive price point. Ashop's ecommerce software is an award-winning way to take care of your needs while making the buying process easy and seamless for your customers.

The shopping cart is completely web-based, removing the need for complicated installation. It has literally hundreds of top-notch features and will allow you to start accepting credit cards online right away. This is high-quality, affordable ecommerce software!

If you need a shopping cart for your site or feel unsatisfied with your current shopping cart software, take a long look at Ashop. Like they say, "Selling online has never been so easy!"

Clamor for Canadian Cord Blood Bank

Canadian medical professionals would like to see an increase in the availability of umbilical cord blood to aid in treatment, but there is a growing belief that will only happen if the nation moves forward to create a national cord blood bank, according to an article at Today's Family News.

The article quotes Dr. Stephen Couban of the Canadian Bone Marrow Transplant Group as stating “There are simply not enough marrow or cord donors in Canada at this time.” Many feel that the only remedy is a national bank, as private storage options are expensive and limit access to the umbilical cord blood.

The bank, advocates claim, could help many additional patients. The article notes that, "Last year, according to CBS figures, Canadian hospitals treated 45 patients with stem cells from cord blood. Almost all the donors were from outside Canada. A further 400 or so patients could benefit from cord blood stem cell therapy."

Cover Your Travel with Insurance

Medical conditions and the risk of accumulating substantial medical bills while abroad don't need to thwart your travel plans. Many people are reluctant to take a dream vacation or holiday due to medical insurance fears, but they don't necessarily need to worry.

Travel medical insurance can protect you from high medical costs in areas where your standard medical coverage may not apply. This smart protection comes in a variety of packages and almost everyone can find a policy for which he or she is eligible.

Cover My Travels makes shopping for travel insurance easy by offering the "widest ranges of travel insurance policies available". The site makes finding and acquiring the right coverage simple and, based on testimonials from former customers, it appears as though Cover My Travels has a track record of helping people find affordable solutions for their travel insurance needs.

If you're considering a trip that will leave you "uncovered" or have been putting off travel due to medical concerns, take a long look at medical travel insurance at Cover My Travel.

Cord Blood Shows Promise as Diabetes Treatment for Children

A recent Gainesville Sun report notes that a pilot study demonstrated the potential efficacy of umbilical cord blood in the treatment of childhood diabetes. Although the study does not have far-reaching conclusions and stops short of touting umbilical cord blood as a "super treatment", it does demonstrate that cord blood therapies do have very real potential medical benefits.

According to the Sun, "Giving children with type 1 diabetes an infusion of blood saved from their own umbilical cords helped reduce the severity of their disease, University of Florida researchers reported Monday."

The cord blood is rich in regulatory cells for the immune system and may assist in "jump starting" the children's systems. However, the boosting effect of the cord blood is probably not permanent and the treatment will require additional study. You can read more about this interesting development here.

Stairlift Site Offers Mobility Solutions

Every year, countless people are forced to move from their homes or into assisted living environments when they'd prefer not to do so. In many cases, that decision is based on serious medical issues. In others, however, a simple inability to successfully navigate the home is to blame. That long dramatic staircase that looked so good when you bought your home may become a serious challenge as you age and/or experience medical problems! When you can't make it up and down the stairs safely, it may be time to look for a new place.

Or, maybe not. There is another solution that may allow many people to avert having to leave their properties. We're talking about stairlifts.

These handy devices come in a variety of models and styles, but they all share one thing in common: They help people get up and down the stairs when and where they may be otherwise unable.

Value Stairlifts covers the whole UK mainland, offering great mobility solutions.

They offer a great deal of product information about a variety of stair lift types. Their simple "enquiry form" makes asking questions about the right lift easy. If you're looking for a stairlift, Value Stairlifts is a great option.

They don't just sell lifts, though. The vendor will "also provide you with a comprehensive after sales service, which includes a 24/7 call out service 365 days a year."

Comments to CBS Cord Blood Piece Interesting

"These days pregnant mothers are asked a question barely heard of ten years ago: Do you want to save your baby's umbilical cord blood?"

That's opening for a CBS News (NY) story on umbilical cord blood banking. The piece itself is your standard "overview" of banking cord blood. The run-of-the-mill reporting mentions the potential medical benefits of cord blood banking and also discusses the expense involved in the banking process.

More interesting than the news itself if the long series of comments that follow it. If you'd like to know what other people are thinking (and writing) about umbilical cord blood, it's definitely worth reading the reaction to this online CBS report. You can find the material here.

The Right Lights Make a Difference!

One of the most important elements of a great home is perfect lighting. The wrong kind of lights can decrease the function and appearance of your home. The addition of fine lighting can make all the difference in the world.

Most of us could use some help in the lighting department. Those cheap old fixtures that "came with the house" just aren't up to snuff. There are thousands of superior lighting options available, and good lighting is a great investment.

Farrey's can help you to find the right lights to meet your needs. Whether you need fine art lamps or overhead lighting, Farrey's is a great place to look for just the right products. Farrey's carries all of the top brands in its massive inventory and can outfit you something that will meet your needs to a tee.

The Farrey's website makes finding ideal lighting simple. It's intuitive and easy to use, free of annoying flash presentations and other silly nonsense. You don't have to dig for hours to find the right products at the right prices when you shop with Farrey's.

Give your home a facelift today. Improve the quality of your life and the value of your property by selecting the perfect lighting.

Online University Faculty Excels

Capella University is an accredited school that functions wholly online. Its lack of a traditional campus or football team, however, doesn't appear to be indiciative of compromised quality in an academic sense. A case in point is Professor Sara Orem. Orem, an adjunct faculty member at Capella, recently completed a published text on "appreciative coaching".

This new direction in management, motivation and coaching involves working through a process of four "Ds" (discovery, dream, design and destiny) to get the most out of those being coached. Orem has a professional coaching firm of her own and an impressive track record in the field.

Capella, which offers graduate degree programs in several fields in addition to bachelor's degrees in business and information technology, has a student population of over 17,000 and is committed to providing a Grade-A educational experience for students visiting its "virtual campus". With faculty members like Dr. Orem, it's not surprising that Capella continues to experience growth, success and positive recognition, securing its position as a leader in adult education.

Jain Tackling Cord Blood Mythology

Saurabh Jain at The American Chronicle is taking on several myths about cord blood banking in a recent article.

He argues that cord blood banking is becoming increasingly popular even though many people resist the practice due to common misconceptions. Jain outlines a number of these cord blood banking myths and responds to them.

Jain's piece is not an unbiased presentation, but his arguments are worthy of careful consideration on the part of those who may be wondering if umbilical cord banking is right for them.

Here's an excerpt:

"Myth 1: Doctors don’t treat a patient with his or her own sample of cord blood, as it would contain some disease.

Fact : A large number of autologous stem cell transplants (that use patient’s own cells) are carried out every year to treat disease like leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma, and other solid tumors. A research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology states that a patient’s own stem cells are the best choice for transplantation, even if there is an early-onset disease."

You can read the full article here.

Carew Backs Stem Cell Banking and Research

Rod Carew was a great Major League Baseball player. The former Twins and Angels infielder is well-remembered for his tremendous bat control and uncanny ability to create base hits (he collected over 3,000).

Although millions remember Carew as a skilled batsmen, many don't know about some of the personal challenges with which he dealt--many of which were certainly tougher to handle than a Ron Guidry slider or a Goose Gossage heater.

The death of his daughter, Michelle, from leukemia is an example. Carew, however, met the challenge. In fact, he's been an active force in research and treatment, honoring his daughter's legacy.

Now, Carew is backing the use of umbilical cord blood, rich in stem cells, as a potential means of combating leukemia.

Carew puts his position into perspective:

"This technology -- with the cord blood and placenta, the stem cells -- when I first had my children if it was available I probably would have joined up and Michelle would probably be alive today," said Carew. "I am happy we are trying to get this message out to expectant parents."

You can read the full report from WCCO here.

Obtaining Gold for Investment

If you're like me (and I'm betting you are), you've heard time and time again just how smart it would be to invest in gold. For hundreds of years, gold has been one of the world's best investments and it remains uniquely valuable today due to its ability to diversify investment portfolios and to preserve purchasing power during times of uncertaintly.

The problem, for many of us, is deciding how to actually obtain gold. One could go out and purchase the valuable metal in the form of fabricated items like watches and jewelry, but savvy investors prefer coins or pure bullion ingots--you won't find those at a local jeweler. So, how do you get investment-quality gold? You might want to try the Monex Deposit Company (MDC).

MDC has been handling investor gold needs for over three decades. Through MDC, one can purchase gold. They'll take care of delivery or, if you prefer, will arrange for secure storage of your precious metal investment. The Monex Deposit Company has a long track record, a large and well-trained staff, and the ability to help you solve one of gold investment's greatest riddles--how to actually buy the gold you need!

Cord Blood vs. Marrow for Transplants

Here's some interesting cord blood news. A study from the Statistical Center, Cebter for Blood Marrow and Transplant Research, an arm of the Medical College of Wisconsin, supports the notion that umbilical cord blood transplants may actually produce better outcomes for blood cancer victims than usually found with more traditional bone marrow transplants.

News-Medical.net recently reported on the study, which lends additional support for the notion that cord blood may be incredibly helpful on a variety of treatment fronts. Their article notes, in part:

"This is the first large study in children to directly compare matched bone marrow...and mismatched umbilical cord blood. There is considerable controversy in the medical community about which source of blood stem cells (cord blood or marrow) should be considered the 'gold standard' for the treatment of childhood leukemia".

You can read the entire piece and a synopsis of the study's findings here.

Cord Blood Basics

Just trying to get some basic background and foundational information about cord blood, its collection and its uses? Saurabh Jain has provided a nice overview at The American Chronicle.

The piece, dated June 16, does not go into tremendous detail about every aspect of umbilical cord blood and its stem cells, but it is a handy primer to the matter.

Here's an excerpt from Jain's piece:

"Cord blood is the blood which is extracted from the umbilical cord and the placenta after a baby’s birth. It is rich in blood forming cells. These cells are called stem cells. Research has proved that stem cells can be used to effectively treat various diseases which were earlier regarded as difficult to cure."

You can read the full piece here.