Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse

POPCORN!

2008-05-10T19:26:00.001-05:00

Tasty, yellow, salty, buttery goodness.
A dream in a bucket. Movie theater magic.
Popping, snapping, reminding.
Smells of joy.
Popcorn. Popcorn.

If you like popcorn, you're gonna love POPCORN.

Pappy Korn, the self-proclaimed (and delusional) inventor of popcorn is rocking the house with his massive all-about-popcorn blog! Check it out as soon as humanly possible.

From "how does popcorn pop" to "which popcorn pops the fastest" and all points in between. It's POPCORN.

The Marketplace of Ideas Online

2007-09-07T19:44:00.000-05:00

I'm a big freedom of speech advocate and my support for open discourse is primarily based in a strong belief in the marketplace of ideas. In an unfettered marketplace of ideas, all positions can be heard and the best conclusions will be reached. At least that's the way it works in theory.

In practice, it's tough. The playing field isn't level and the marketplace is controlled to the point of creating unavoidable bias. Not everyone is heard (or heard to the same degree). In fact, some viewpoints don't get enough "airplay" to be heard at all.

The Internet creates the opportunity for a truer marketplace of ideas. The playing field can be leveled and people can exchange ideas and perspectives freely without restriction. Vigorous debate and argumentation can forge stronger arguments, change minds, and produce better thinking (and results).

A perfect example of that concept in operation are the Argue With Everyone Discussion Forums. This forum for political debate is operated with the objective of promoting open and free discourse in mind. Unlike many forums, moderation is limited. Members are able to create the discussions and arguments of their choosing.

If you're an opinionated person--or are someone who's interested in learning more about the opinions of others and/or broadening your own personal outlook, a trip to the Argue With Everyone Discussion Forums is warranted. If you're craving vigorous and productive debate, joining the forums is almost mandatory.

Clergy Notes Value of Cord Blood in Reaction to Hybrid Stem Embryos

2007-09-07T18:00:00.000-05:00

Researchers in the UK received regulatory approval for the creation of hybrid human/animal embryos. While they lauded the decision and looked forward to untold scientific advances, others lamented the decision as a transgression of deeply important religious and ethical principles.

Catholic clergy, for instance, argue that the ethical controversies created by decisions to make the hybrid embryos are avoidable--and that their avoidance may actually produce better results.

They maintain that stem cell research using umbilical cord blood can provide benefits similar to those achieved via embryonic research without treading on sensitive moral/ethical/religious terrain.

According The Independent:

But the Archbishop of Cardiff, Peter Smith, said: "Instead of promoting ethically problematic research into hybrid embryos, why do we not simply encourage more research into the proven and uncontroversial area of adult stem cells?"

"The Catholic Church is not against all stem cell research, and strongly supports such research using adult and cord blood stem cells."

About Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse

2007-09-07T09:24:00.000-05:00

After mentioning Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Banks in my previous post, I noticed that their site mentioned this one. Unfortunately, their assessment of Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse is inaccurate. I thought I'd take a moment to explain the nature of this blog and my intentions in order to clear up any misunderstandings.

Parent's Guide to Cord Blood describes the blog like this:

"A blog where all content is written by an anonymous Resident Expert who clearly works for a bank."

Well, they're right about the "Resident Expert" thing. They're wrong about the rest of it.

"Resident Expert" shows up as the post author because I actually operate a series of blogs with the same account and needed a author tag that made sense for all of them. I don't utilize my real name due to privacy considerations and other issues related to the content and topic matter of other ventures and the desire to keep elements of professional life separated.

Does the lack of a name and/or specific qualifications damage the credibility of this blog? Perhaps. On the other hand, I always cite referenced source material and try to make it clear when any of my own opinion creeps into discussions.

I am not employed by an umbilical cord bank. I have no direct affiliation with any cord blood bank, storage facility, etc. It is true that this blog accepts advertising, particularly in the form of Google Adsense ads. This may result in ads for various banks appearing on the site. When those ads are clicked, I am paid a small sum. I'm not, however, beholden to any outside firm or corporation and the presence of those automatically-served ads has no impact on editorial content.

The site does feature links to sites that may include cord blood banks. These links are reciprocal and were established in an effort to assist in search engine indexing and search optimization. They were built early in the blog's history as a means of putting the blog "on the map". The accompanying text may create a sense of advertising, but I don't personally endorse or recommend any linked entity.

I am paid for some posts. A full disclosure statement is located at the bottom of the blog. I am yet to be paid for any post directly related to umbilical cord blood banking or storage and doubt that situation will ever arise.

So, if I'm not cashing a check from a cord blood bank and I'm not affiliated with any of the companies in the industry, why am I blogging about it, right?

To be honest, the project started as an experiment in generating advertising revenue via blogging. That's right, it's basically a for-profit endeavor. I was experimenting with keyword research and relatively high-paying contextual advertising topics when I found that umbilical cord blood banking seemed to have potential. The private firms out there are in a heated competition for clients and they are willing to pay a fairly substantial sum for targeted advertising.

I built the blog with that in mind. I hoped to drive traffic to this site and to generate earnings via the contextual advertising. The topic area, initially, was chosen purely as a matter of financial potential.

Unlike some other experiments, Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse was not particularly successful. Traffic totals were lower than expected and earnings suffered. I basically shelved the blog for awhile, not necessarily planning to return to it.

In the meantime, any chance I had of making Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse a top performer in its niche had passed. Others with more SEO skills and content acquisition talents had focused their attention on the subject matter.

Then, a few things happened. First, I started reading more news about the topic and realized I had developed a genuine interest in it. That coincided with the birth of my daughter and a decision to donate her cord blood. That decision was spurred, primarily, by what I had learned as the author of this blog. Second, I discovered additional means of monetization in the form of paid postings. I returned to the blog with greater regularity to provide updates, etc.

Today, Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse is operated as a for-profit endeavor. I earn via the contextual advertising and sponsored postings. I don't earn based on the politics or commercial implications of my content to the cord blood industry.

This blog is less of a research project or personal attempt at swaying public opinion than it is a news aggregation site. I look for stories and information about cord blood and umbilical cord blood banking and comment on them, supplying readers with direct links to those resources. As noted, I try to separate personal opinion and make those moments crystal-clear to the reader.

Is Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse the perfect resource for the subject matter? Not even close. I think that sites like The Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Banks offer far superior original content and can be a great resource. I also believe that some of the information coming from cord blood banks and those with direct financial ties to them can be useful. There are also incredibly biased slams of banking operations, statements released purely to generate business for banks, misinformation, wrong information, outrageous statements of medical potential and enthralling stories of medical and technological breakthroughs. Cord blood is a fascinating topic. It combines the most personal aspects of life and decision making with politics, science and ethics.

I have my opinions, which are always subject to change as I learn more. But this is less about my opinions than it is providing a variety of perspectives and exploring different aspects of the topic. I do make a little money from the project, but probably not enough to justify the limited time I spend on it.

The Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse is what it is. It's a small site that aggregates and comments upon cord blood-related news and opinion pieces. It's not a mouthpiece for banks or any other entity.

I hope everyone who visits finds something interesting on the topic of cord blood and/or is inspired to learn more.

Yours truly,
Resident Expert

Private Cord Blood Questionnaire Available

2007-09-07T09:14:00.000-05:00

If you're considering private banking of umbilical cord blood, you'll want to make sure you choose the right facility. Making that selection can be difficult--most of us are not medical experts and don't really even know where to begin as we research banking options.

Fortunately, Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Banks provides a comprehensive questionnaire for use when making a private cord blood bank decision. The list of questions covers everything. Costs, storage, shipping and handling of cord blood, and processing are only a handful of the topics covered.

Here are a few examples of the questions outlined in just one portion the questionnaire:

Is the family cord blood bank a publicly-held or privately-held company?
Is the company affiliated with a hospital or research institution?
Is the company involved in bio-technology research and development?
What other medical services does the company perform?
How long has the company been banking cord blood? Notice this is not the same as the age of the company.

This questionnaire is only one of the valuable resources at the site. It's definitely worth a look on the part of anyone curious about cord blood donation and banking.

CarGarageGuys Handle Garage Storage Needs

2007-09-06T14:20:00.000-05:00

This may come as a shock, but your garage is actually part of your house. It isn't a mere storage facility and it isn't some kind of crazy landfill. Your garage can be functional. Heck, it can even be attractive.

If you're one of the millions of people who have garages overstuffed with cardboard boxes, barely-operating equipment and appliances, scattered miscellany and a disorganized hodgepodge of tools, it's time to start looking at things differently. It's time to recognize that your garage really is part of your home.

Would you toss stuff into your living room randomly? Do you have stacks of silverware and dishes crammed into the corners of your kitchen where you can't even get to them? Of course not. You'd never treat your living space like that! So, why are you handling your garage that way?

There isn't a good excuse. Especially these days. Keeping a good-looking and organized garage has never been simpler. CarGuyGarage has made garage improvement their focus and they offer amazing Storage Cabinetsand other products to make garages a functional part of the home again. We're talking about over 1,000 different items! If it involves garages, CarGuyGarage probably carries it.

Stainless steel storage cabinets with a sleek look and limitless organizational potential. Grated garage floors that rival those found at the high-end operations. Shelving, cord reels, slat walls and even special refrigerators designed with the garage in mind--these guys have it! They can even supply you with the tools you'll need to handle anything from a simple car wash to a complete antique auto restoration.

Take a long look at your garage and ask yourself if there's room for improvement. After you realize that it's high time to start treating your garage like a real part of your home, take a look at what CarGuyGarage.com is doing. They have everything you need to clean, organize and rejuvenate this often overlooked area.

Kentucky Station Reports on Cord Blood Transplants

2007-09-06T14:08:00.000-05:00

A recent news story at WBKO (Bowling Green, KY) highlights some of cord blood's amazing potential. The brief coverage personalizes the medical advances and treatments that have successfully utilized umbilical cord blood by profiling children whose lives have been fundamentally changed for the better.

The story also features an interview with OB educator Martha Houchin who does a nice job explaining why cord blood donation and treatments that make use of cord blood are so powerful.

Excerpt:

"Houchin said cord blood transplants are also being used for other illnesses such as leukemia, Alzheimer's and spinal cord injuries.

"With bone marrow, eight out of eight markers have to match, with cord blood only five have to match," she continued.

For Presley, it's another Tae Kwon Do class.

But for Martha, it's another day to spread the word and save a life.

Houchin said it takes a very small amount of blood from the umbilical cord to generate a whole new system in your body."

You can read the full transcript and/or watch the televised footage here.

Does Branson Approach Avoid Common Concerns

2007-09-06T13:34:00.000-05:00

Banking cord blood. Almost everyone agrees it makes sense to maintain umbilical cord blood and that there's no sense in wasting/discarding it. But what arrangement works best for storage? That's the contentious question.

While some (particularly in the for-profit sector) argue that individualized, private blood banking makes sense, others (often in the public health sphere) maintain that a national or international donation-fed cord blood bank is a better solution.

Richard Branson and the Virgin Stem Cell Bank may have a solution. The rebel billionaire's plan calls for collected umbilical cord blood to be split into two units. One will be retained under a private banking plan for those sold on the idea. The other half will be donated to appropriate national cord blood facilities.

Branson's bank may or may not succeed, but the underlying idea of providing a service to those able and willing to pay for it while simultaneously feeding public cord blood banks does seem like an interesting compromise to a difficult difference of opinions.

You can read more about the Virgin Bank here.

Canada Working toward National Cord Blood Bank

2007-09-06T13:29:00.000-05:00

Canadian experts are working to secure funding for the construction and maintenance of a multi-million dollar umbilical cord blood bank. The national bank would be used to house donated cord blood that could be used in the treatment of a variety of ailments.

The advocates of the national bank are not only impressed with the medical potential of cord blood. They're also concerned that existing collection strategies aren't providing a sufficiently diverse supply of umbilical cord blood.

The CBC reports:

"Canadian Blood Services plans to ask later this month for $5 million from provincial and territorial governments to start a national public umbilical cord blood bank.

Two dozen experts who met on the issue over the weekend in Ottawa have agreed there are not enough donors to meet the growing demand for regenerative stem cells in Canada.

"There are simply not enough marrow or cord donors in Canada at this time," Dr. Stephen Couban of the Canadian Bone Marrow Transplant Group said after the two-day meeting."

Improving Travel Preparation - Reviewing HotelReservations.com

2007-09-06T12:58:00.000-05:00

Traveling is fun and personally rewarding. Preparing for travel is time-consuming and frustrating. It can also be expensive.

That's the way it's always been, anyway. Now, however, it looks like there's a way to avoid all of the annoyance and inefficiency of booking your trip. They also promise lower-than-expected prices.

HotelReservations.com is a one-stop solution for travel planning. As the name suggests, they specialize in giving their users an awesome selection of Hotel Reservations and resort offerings. HotelReservations.com doesn't stop there, though. You can also shop for vacation rentals, arrange airline reservations and secure rental cars with their simple and intuitive interface.

TESTING HOTELRESERVATIONS.COM

There are scores of travel assistance sites out there and it can be hard to tell whether any particular one is actually a great option. So, I put HotelReservations.com to the test. I live in the Kansas City, Missouri area and am familiar with accommodations and costs in this part of the world. I decided to create a mock vacation with HotelReservations to KC in order to test the quality of their service.

HOTEL SPACE: The service did very well in this department. HotelReservations.com gave me listings and more-than-competitive prices for some of the best hotels in the area. I was impressed to find that some of the first listings were for respected and desirable properties in the Country Club Plaza shopping district--a top travel destination.

RENTAL CAR: You can't get around this neck of the woods without a vehicle. HotelReservations found a rental option for well under $15 per day through a major vendor. That's a bargain!

AIR FARE: The site gave me a range of viable air travel options between New York (my hypothetical "start city") and Kansas City. I'm accustomed to making that trip myself and felt that the prices returned by the service were very competitive with other bargain rates I've found elsewhere in the past.

CONCLUSION: After putting HotelReservations.com through the paces, I give it a "thumbs up". It may be possible to shave a dollar or two off your total cost by working each individual aspect of travel planning completely by yourself, but the time and energy wasted in the process would probably swamp any financial benefit that might be gained.

Travel can be fun. Preparing for travel can be enjoyable, too.

Athletes and Umbilical Cord Blood Storage

2007-09-05T12:35:00.000-05:00

According to an article about Virgin Health Bank, those with worries regarding leukemia and other similar ailments aren't the only people opting to bank their children's umbilical cord blood. Apparently, professional athletes are also utilizing banking services, hoping that the stem cells of their offspring may later be capable of playing a role in repairing injured body parts.

According to the story, which appears here:

"Stem cells are those potent primal cells that scientists say may someday be used to regenerate damaged organs and nerves, holding the cure for diseases from Parkinson's disease to diabetes. Athletes are even storing their newborn's cord blood cells in the hopes they can be used to regrow their own injured cartilage and ligaments."

Viet Nam and Stem Cell Research

2007-09-05T11:42:00.000-05:00

The Vietnamese are actively involved in research and medical treatments utilizing stem cells, including those derived from umbilical cord blood. A recent article at VietNamNet Bridge describes a variety of activities, events and procedures involving stem cell research and banking.

It appears as though plans to build and operate a new cord blood bank are on schedule as well. Cord blood banking and storage is definitely not a US/Europe-only matter. According to the article:

"The Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Bank of the Southern Region (MekoStem), set up by the Mekophar Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, will be put into operation in late October or early November 2007. This bank will preserve umbilical cord blood and tissues."

Choosing the Right Cord Bank

2007-09-05T11:18:00.000-05:00

If you've made the decision to bank cord blood, you'll need to find the right establishment to handle your storage needs. The marketplace is crowding with new players in the umbilical cord blood business and there's no reason to believe that there will be a decrease in options any time soon.

So, if you're committed to banking, how can you find the right bank? An American Chronicle article attempts to provide an answer.

Excerpt: "While selecting a blood bank, narrow down your choices to those banks that have a dedicated infrastructure and personnel for umbilical cord blood processing and use ‘controlled rate’ freezing for safe processing of cells."

I've discussed my reservations about American Chronicle assessments before, but this article is worth reading because it does raise some interesting questions about bank selection.

Critical Health Information at Your Fingertips

2007-09-01T19:32:00.000-05:00

Improving the quality of your health and life requires an understanding of nutrition and diet. Part of that understanding can be derived from various statistical measures. One should know his or her body mass index and have an idea of a healthy BMI, for instance. Understanding the caloric content of foods and their nutritional value is also important.

Many people try to make positive changes without this crucial information and struggle in the process. They try to do without because they don't know how or where to get the data they need.

That doesn't need to be the case, though. MyFitnessPal.com is a website that provides assets inclucing a bmi calculator.

They also provide a calorie counter that features great ease of use and that supplies additional nutritional information about the foods you eat. This can be a very helpful means of improving one's eating and lifestyle.

MyFitnessPal is a free resource. They don't ask for credit card information and you're under no obligation to make any purchase.

Whether you need a bmr calculator or just need more information about the nutritional value of your diet, MyFitnessPal is a tremendous resource.

Cord Blood Work Yields Liver Segments

2007-09-01T19:23:00.000-05:00

Researchers claim they have the capability to grow segments of human liver tissue using stem cells obtained from umbilical cord blood. Although the claim is not yet backed by refereed scientific research, its possibilities are fascinating.

Even the researchers recognize that "growing" new livers may be many years away, but partial livers would provide scientists with an opportunity to test treatments and drugs and conduct research without risk to living animals or people.

According to a BBC report, the scientists behind the liver claim plan to monetize their discovery:

"Researchers Dr Nico Forraz and Professor Colin McGuckin have started a company called ConoStem in an effort to market their stem cell work."

The report provides an interesting look at the potential of such discoveries and the ethical issues they may raise.

Cord Blood Appeal High with Catholic Doctors

2007-09-01T19:06:00.000-05:00

The medical potential of stem cell research may be substantial, but its progress is hindered by religious exceptions to the creation and use of embryonic cells. Some physicians maintain that umbilical cord blood may provide a way to avoid ethical concerns while still making substantial headway in the treatment of a variety of diseases.

The Catholic Explorer recently ran a piece that illustrates this perspective clearly. Catholic doctors are rallying behind umbilical cord blood research because it provides a great scientific opportunity while avoiding risk of running afoul of religious perspectives that consider embryonic stem cell work as a violation of the sanctity of life.

Excerpt:

"Cord blood has opened the door to curing patients who otherwise would die," Dr. Patrick Stiff, director of Loyola's Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, told the Catholic Explorer. "We actually have transplanted patients in whom the only other option was a hospice program."

The use of cord-blood stem cells does not involve the destruction of embryos, and the Catholic Church supports their use. They are taken from an umbilical cord after birth and used to treat cancers originating in bone marrow or in the lymphatic system when a traditional bone-marrow transplant is not an option."

Cord Blood America Makes Sales Pitch

2007-09-01T18:58:00.000-05:00

A recent press release from Cord Blood America, the parent company of Corcell, an industry leader in umbilical cord blood storage and banking, argues that the corporation is a great investment opportunity.

The release, which provides a link to an interview with Matthew Schissler, the company's CEO, alludes to extremely high growth potential in the stem cell market segment.

Excerpt:

"In the interview, Mr. Schissler says investors should be increasingly interested in the stem cell sector because many more afflictions will be treated, and cured, by stem cells within the next two to five years. "We are the fastest growing stem cell company that we know about, and are highly undervalued," the CEO of Cord Blood America said. "We are positioning our Company to be in control of the inventory, which is crucial to significant corporate growth."

Online Medical Retailer Impresses

2007-08-30T13:06:00.000-05:00

AllegroMedical.com has been a leading online retailer of medical equipment products for over a decade. Their innovative approach to online sales and impressive product selection have positioned the site for continued success.

Allegro offers all of the home nutritional and medical products you'd expect and has supplemented that selection with other life-enhancing products you might not usually associate with a company in its niche. For instance, Allegro carries outdoor gear and equipment. They all deal in high-quality fitness products.

With over fifty thousand available products, Allegro has been forced to organize itself in order to allow consumers to find what they need. They've managed to do that through categorizing supplies and by offering a unique "shop by condition" arrangement that allows people to find exactly what they need in record time.

It's no wonder Allegro has served over one million customers and continues to grow. They're doing online retail the right way.

Malaysian Officials Wary of Stem Cell Claims

2007-08-30T12:59:00.000-05:00

Malaysia's Health Minister recently warned citizens to be suspicious of claims made regarding the use of stem cells in the treatment of various diseases. Apparently, at least a handful of Malaysian doctors have been making claims regarding stem cell-based treatments that lack sufficient scientific evidence to support them.

"The Star", a Malaysian newspaper, also reports that the government there is less than happy with claims made by cord blood banking facilities. Malaysian officials seem less than optimistic about private cord blood banking and are, for all purposes, discouraging the practice.

"The Star" noted:

"Dr Chua said baseless claims by companies had attracted many new mothers who fork out money to keep their baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells in special bank set up by private companies.

“What guarantee is there that the cord blood can be used five to 10 years down the road?

“Mothers or families who keep the stem cell cord blood have high hopes that it would be their medical insurance should they need it one day although medical data does not support its role in this matter,” he added."

You can read more about Malaysia and cord blood banking here.

Thai Authorities Warn of Overzealous Cord Blood Firms

2007-08-30T12:52:00.000-05:00

The controversy surrounding private cord blood banking is not limited to the U.S. alone. Recently, officials in Thailand issued a statement expressing concern over the marketing tactics used by umbilical cord banks there.

The argument in Thailand echoes the U.S. dispute. Advocates of banking are met with opponents who claim that risk analysis does not support the onerous expenses associated with individualized banking solutions.

As an article in Thailand's "The Nation" reported:
"The Public Health Ministry has warned families who want to preserve blood stem cells from the umbilical cord of their newborn babies for transplants in case of future illness to think twice before paying vast amounts of money to private stem-cell banks.

Dr Wisit Tangnaphaporn, deputy director-general of the Department of Health Service Support, said he wanted families to weigh the expense they have to shoulder for the stem-cell storage service against the chances that their child could be saved from future diseases by using these cells."

Obviously, cord blood banking on an individual level is a hot-button issue all over the world. You can read the article about Thailand's situation here.

Chinese Doctors Want Cord Blood Rules

2007-08-30T12:16:00.000-05:00

A report at China.org indicates that Chinese physicians are calling for the development of rules to govern the storage and donation of umbilical cord blood. Apparently, only 2% of Chinese new births resulted in donated cord blood and doctors would like to see those figures increase.

The article emphasizes the therapeutic value of umbilical cord blood for patients suffering from Leukemia. Over 40,000 Chinese are diagnosed with Leukemia annually and the medical establishment there relishes the opportunity to provide improved treatment with cord blood.

Excerpt:

"Currently, hospitals don't ask new mothers whether they want to keep, donate or throw away the umbilical cord blood, officials told a science forum on cord blood technology in Shanghai yesterday.

"Twenty-nine states in the United States are making or have made rules on the issue. For instance, doctors in Arizona must ask parents' plans for umbilical cord blood starting this year," said Zheng Bin, an official from Shanghai Cord Blood Bank. "It is a very meaningful method to promote the awareness of cord blood use."

The full article is available here.

Information for Wise Buying Decisions

2007-08-30T08:08:00.000-05:00

The Internet has made it incredibly easy to purchase the products you may need. It's also made it possible for any user to consider and choose from a massive assortment of products within any niche. Not so long ago, you may have been limited in selection to the products carried in your local stores. Today, as the saying goes, the whole world is at your fingertips.

That's an amazing change, but it has brought a new challenge to us. How do we choose from multiple options? With so many choices available, it can be very difficult to make a wise buying decision.

That's the problem TrustSource.org is trying to alleviate. The site provides side-by-side comparisons of multiple products in a variety of areas.

Let's say, for instance, that you're experiencing hot flashes due to menopause. TrustSource lists a variety of available products and remedies for you and compares them all.

Considering a purchase of a cellulite cream? TrustSource has a complete rundown of available products and provides critical information to help guide your decision making process. Wondering if provillus is the right hair loss treatment for you? The information at this helpful site may give you the answer you need.

TrustSource ranks individual products within groups and provides access to actual user reviews. I know there are multiple options out there for almost every product type and that the process of making a decision can be overwhelming at times. TrustSource, however, makes it easier by collecting and displaying helpful data in an intuitive and organized fashion.

(This is a sponsored review)

Cord Blood Battling Leukemia

2007-08-29T20:38:00.000-05:00

Those who receive cord blood as a leukemia treatment appear to experience better results than those who receive more traditional bone marrow transplants.

Dr. John E. Wagner of the University of Minnesota believes that the recently observed results catapult umbilical cord blood to "first line treatment" status according to a report in The Ledger of Florida.

The article also states:

"Indeed, five-year survival was identical for recipients of perfectly matched bone marrow and cord blood with two mismatches, Wagner says. That matching flexibility could expand the field considerably, because right now bone marrow matches cannot be found for half of all leukemia patients who need transplants, he says. "With cord blood you can find a match for most patients, where with marrow you cannot," Wagner says. "The take-home message is that when cord blood is so promising, it should have an impact on public policy."

The Ledger piece notes that a national cord blood bank may be on the horizon due to positive findings like these and concludes with expert opinion that against private blood banking.

The full article appears here.

Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Critic

2007-08-27T17:46:00.000-05:00

I think most of the entries at this blog are, at least on some level, in favor of cord blood storage. I say "storage" because not all observations support the notion of private cord blood banking and many advocate donation while stopping short of individual banking.

However, the "bank it" posts probably outnumber the "don't bank it posts" simply because more news and material is released carrying that slant.

In the interest of keeping the scales balanced, here's an observation from an apparent medical professional (tough to discern exact qualifications) who opposes the private cord blood banking model. The remarks were found at the Perinatal Nursing Discussion listserve hosted by the University of Buffalo.

They outline one individual's opposition to the for-profit banking model and cover various issues of collection and facility policy.

"First, I have to say I am against cord blood banking, the kid needs thatblood not some money making blood banker. The AAP is (if memory serves)against paying for blood banking for personal use. That being said, I knowthat umbilical cord blood is one of the few sources of stem cells that are actually useful for treating disease. When I am in my own practice I plan to counsel against cord blood banking..."

Overview of Umbilical Cord Blood and Banking

2007-08-27T17:36:00.000-05:00

Every once in awhile, I like to point your attention to online resources that cover the very basics of cord blood and umbilical cord blood banking. For those addressing the issue on a personal level for the first time, these basic overviews can be very helpful.

"Shallow Thoughts to Profound Insight" offers a nice encapsulation of umbilical cord blood. It discusses what it is, why it may be important and provides some general information about cord blood banking.

Excerpt:

"Now comes the most important question - Should you bank your baby's cord blood? I am not a medical professional, so what I am expressing are only my thoughts on this. I think you should, if you and your immediate family members have a genetic predisposition to any of the treatable diseases mentioned above. If thallasemia runs in your family it would be worthwhile to store the cord blood."

If you're looking for some basic information on this fascinating topic, you may want to include this stop on your journey.

Gold and Silver Investment Note

2007-08-23T20:31:00.000-05:00

Although you might be tempted to throw all of your investment dollars into the burgeoning field of umbilical cord blood banking and storage, smart investors realize the need for quality diversification. Many experts argue that appropriately diversified portfolios should include holdings in gold and silver.

Precious metals have been a safe bet for centuries. They have proven their ability to retain value while other sources of wealth have withered. The gold bullion prized by the ancients remains coveted today. Gold and silver investment can also be a hedge against overall political and economic uncertainty.

Those with an interest in the gold and silver markets may want to investigate the Monex Deposit Company (MDC). MDC has a long record of proven service and performance and is uniquely situated to assist investors with the acquisition, safe storage and accumulation of precious metal investments.

Gold and silver may be the missing component necessary to improve your investment portfolio. They are certainly worthy of serious consideration for all investors.

South Texas Operation Appoints New Associate Director

2007-08-23T20:24:00.000-05:00

Rachael-Louise Beddard is the new associate medical director for the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center. Beddard was the part-time medical director for the operation's cord blood banking unit before accepting the position, according to a recent press release.

According to the release, Beddard will "assist in establishing medical policies related to the selection and care of blood donors, collection, processing and storage of cord blood."

The Texas Blood & Tissue Center is a regional facility serving a substantial number of Texas hospitals and clinics. For more on Beddard's move and the Center, the full release can be found here.

Catholics Backing Umbilical Cord Blood Banking

2007-08-23T19:20:00.000-05:00

The Little Rock Diocese is excited about umbilical cord blood banking. Not only do members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy there express hope for the medical results obtainable via umbilical cord blood.

Here's an excerpt from a recent article on the topic:

"Linane said the initiative is supported by the Diocese of Little Rock as well because it promotes using nonembryonic stem cells for medical cures. The Catholic Church opposes embryonic stem-cell research because living human embryos are destroyed in the process of extracting the stem cells.

The extraction of stem cells from umbilical-cord blood "is not morally or ethically controversial," Fox said. "This is the child's first gift to the rest of the world."

The religious debate over fetal stem cell research may be the umbilical cord blood banking industry's best friend. The article quoted above can be found here.

Iceland: It's not just a matter of Bjork!

2007-08-18T12:57:00.000-05:00

If the only thing you know about Iceland is its ability to churn out enigmatic pop starlets with large underground followings, it's time to rethink your perspective. There's more to Iceland than Bjork!

Glaciers. Geysers. Volcanoes. Waterfalls. Whales. You can find them all in Iceland. If you're like me, the idea of vacationing in Iceland might seem a bit strange at first. When you do a little research, though, you find that the place doesn't always live up to its chilly name and there are many great things to do while visiting the island nation.

The geography is varied and magnificent and the summer months are surprisingly mild to boot.
So, there's a lot of cool things to see and do in Iceland. That's great, but there's still one issue to confront before you make your way to Reykjavik. Lodging. You're going to need to find the right Iceland Hotels to meet your needs. That's where a site like CheaperThanHotels.co.uk enters the picture. They can help you find the right Reykjavik hotels for you time in the capital, giving you the perfect staging area for your Icelandic adventures. The wrong hotel can ruin a trip, so it's incredibly important to make a wise decision.

Finding the right South Iceland Hotels to meet your needs can be a challenge, but not if you're armed with the right information. Get all of the info you need to make smart choices and to create an unforgettable Icelandic sojourn. Check them out!

Why Parents DON'T Bank Cord Blood

2007-08-18T12:20:00.000-05:00

Parents.com has an interesting piece on the reasons why many parents opt NOT to bank their children's cord blood. It's nice to see real people who wrestle with cord blood banking questions in the real world offer their input and perspective on the process.

The rationales that led people not to bank cord blood are varied, but the most common explanation was the expense involved in the process. Others sited a statistically slight risk of needing the cord blood and at least one even mentioned possible security concerns.

Here are a few of the many reactions:
Reader Three: "I seriously considered and did quite a bit of research on banking, but when I asked my ob-gyn and she said it was a money-making scam unless we had a history of stem-cell disease in our immediate family, I decided against it. She was right on the money with all the other answers she gave us, so I believed her on this. In the end, do what you feel is best. A mom knows."

Reader Four: "I think it's a really good idea to bank the umbilical cord blood -- if you can afford it. It's just not a reasonable cost for the average person. The cost is astronomical! I just couldn't do it."

Reader Five: "It sounded like a great idea, but it was way too expensive for our meager budget to afford up front. Plus there are continued storing costs."

Reader Six: "No, I did not bank the cord blood. I donated it to the San Diego Blood Bank. They use it to help save lots of kids every year. Hopefully if any of my children ever need it, someone else's donation will save them."

Read 'em all here.

Growing new tissue with umbilical cord novel cells...

2007-08-18T11:45:00.000-05:00

A press release issued by the people at ViaCell argues that researchers can grow bone and heart tissue using novel cells found in umbilical cord blood.

Obviously, readers should take the claim with a grain of salt. The statement is issued by ViaCell, who has a strong interest in increasing the use and popularity of cord blood banking and storage. However, the publicity material does site refereed medical research on the topic and stops short of making exaggerated claims regarding the technique's efficacy.

Excerpt:

For the first time, using novel cells found in human umbilical cord blood, researchers have shown the ability to grow bone, cartilage, hematopoietic (blood), neural, liver and heart tissue in in vivo studies. The article is entitled, "A new human somatic stem cell from placental cord blood with intrinsic pluripotent differentiation potential" and is available in the July 19, 2004 issue, vol.200, no. 2, of JEM. Dr. Peter Wernet, the President of NETCORD, commented, "To our knowledge, we are the first group to demonstrate that neonatal somatic stem cells can be robustly expanded in vitro under pharmaceutical conditions to very large

The full release is available here. numbers and can differentiate, in vivo, into a number of tissue types and take on the properties and specific functions of the cells in those tissues." This discovery was made by Dr. Wernet, Dr. G. Koegler and scientists at ViaCell.

Foxworthy and land for sale?

2007-08-16T19:29:00.000-05:00

You probably know of Jeff Foxworthy from his stand-up comedy routines and his recent success as a popular game show host. If you watch cable television, you may have also seen his five-times-a-week program on "The Bucks of Tecomate". That program is a means by which the Tecomate company gets the word out about its wildlife management and consulting services. Foxworthy, who anchors the program, is also involved in the ownership of Tecomate.

Recently, Tecomate and LandsOfAmerica.com, a leading online rural real estate sales site, announced plans to work together. The proposal should create a stellar opportunity for someone looking for Land for sale to simultaneously learn more about a firm that boasts a tremendous track record in terms of creating wildlife havens.

Tecomate gets a great deal of attention, some of it do to the popular Foxworthy's involvement, and LandsOfAmerica is recognized as the leader in online rural land sales, boasting over 250 sites in its extensive network.

ViaCell Investment Perspective

2007-08-16T19:14:00.000-05:00

ViaCell, fairly well-known in the umbilical cord blood field as a storage service, is posting better sales at ViaCord and there's every reason to believe that the cord blood storage industry is poised for a major boom. So, why do some analysts believe there's some cause for concern among ViaCell investors?

The answer is red ink and plenty of it. Operating and ret results are "mired" in red ink and at least one investor tipped off the Motley Fools about perceived management blunders.

Bad news, right? Well, not necessarily. The folks at Motley Fool eventually come down on the side of Via Cell. Here's an excerpt of their analysis:

Meanwhile, the firm has cut costs in an effort to accelerate its march to profitability. Losses for the quarter amounted to just $0.09 per share, half of last year's Q2 loss, and less than analysts predicted. Granted, most of the cost-cutting came in from a single one-time item: a "$2.2 million credit related to a reduction in contingent liabilities recorded with the acquisition of Kourion Therapeutics in 2003."

You can read the whole piece here.

Company Entering Cord Blood Storage Arena

2007-08-16T19:04:00.000-05:00

DomaniCell, a company with a track record in the cell collection and storage business, has announced plans to enter the field of storing stem cells. Basically, it would appear as if DomaniCell is getting ready to offer banking services, based on a press release that states they are "expanding its service to the collection and storage of stem cells and immune system cells for adults who choose to proactively store their cells, while they are healthy and younger, for potential future use."

DomaniCell refers to stem cell storage (i.e. umbilical cord blood storage, perhaps?) as part of a "proactive wellness plan". Although people will have different opinions regarding personal blood banking and its value to most individuals, the DomaniCell announcement does demonstrate that there is potential growth in that marketplace.

Here's an excerpt from the company's statement, explaining the potential value of cell storage:

"When collected and stored from younger and healthier donors, stem cells and immune system cells are more effective than those collected later in life or from a donor suffering from an illness or genetic disorder. Additionally, autologous (self) stem cell and immune system cell replacement has been demonstrated to be highly effective in restoring normal function after exposure to toxins, including radiation."

The full release is available here.

Finding Mailboxes Online

2007-07-26T14:17:00.000-05:00

We may do a great deal of communicating online, but we're still extremely reliant on good, old-fashioned paper mail. Snail mail may seem slow compared to an RSS feed or email, but it's an integral part of our lives and remains essential to our daily lives.

All of that mail has to go somewhere. I'm talking about your mailboxes, by the way.

Although top-notch mailboxes may last forever, the ones we often inherit on our properties weren't built for longevity. That's where MailBoxIXChange.com enters the picture. These folks offer over a thousand different mailboxes. They are sure to have something to meet your landscaping and decorating needs while simultaneously supplying maximum durability.

They also sell other outdoor decor products, making an online shopping experience there even more enjoyable. Don't go another day with that eyesore of a weather-beaten cheap metal mailbox in front of your home. You can move up to the big leagues in terms of mailboxes! Whether you need residential mailboxes or commercial mailboxes, MailBoxIXChange.com can help you out.

Cord Blood Storage at a Private Bank

2007-07-26T14:08:00.000-05:00

If you're considering banking umbilical cord blood, you may have a number of different questions. Deciding between donation and storage is a key issue. If you opt for private storage, choosing the right facility is important.

Somewhere, amidst all of the decision making, it's easy to find yourself lost without knowing some pretty important specifics.

For instance, you might have a very well-reasoned approach to umbilical cord blood storage while still lacking the nuts and bolts information about how the process works.

That's one reason I wanted to mention this MILive article. It quickly and succinctly outlines the process by which umbilical cord blood storage takes place at one major bank.

There are big questions and big issues. There are details, too. When it comes to dealing with cord blood, both are very important.

Illinois TV Tackles Cord Blood

2007-07-26T13:52:00.000-05:00

NBC5 in the Windy City recently provided a bit of umbilical cord blood banking and storage coverage. "Some Saving Umbilical Cord Blood" details a specific case in which cord blood-related strategies provided life-saving assistance for a patient.

The most interesting part of the Chicago NBC affiliate's coverage, however, is probably this argument:

"At Loyola University Medical Center, transplant pioneer Dr. Patrick Stiff said it's frustrating see patients die because what they so desperately need is treated as medical waste."

About 16,000 patients right now could be cured are not because they don't have a donor, but because cord blood is being thrown away," he said.

He said unless a woman donates it to a public bank or pays to personally store it just for her family, cord blood is being tossed."

We usually discuss cord blood an its potential in terms of how it could save people. When you describe the situation starkly in terms of how many people are suffering because of a lack of available cord blood, the need for banking and/or donation becomes inescapably apparent.

You can read the full story here.

Securing a Room in Amsterdam

2007-07-26T13:42:00.000-05:00

I have a friend who recently returned from a European vacation that featured a multi-day stay in Amsterdam. After hearing about his experiences and seeing a few of the photos he took during the trip, I'm definitely putting Amsterdam on my short list of must-see vacation destinations.

If you feel the same way and are planning a trip to the entertaining, unique and historical locale, you'll need to secure hotel reservations. EasyToBook.com is a perfect place to find the perfect room!

Other sites may have an idea or two to share about your travel to Amsterdam, but no one has a list of available Amsterdam hotels like the one at EasyToBook.com!

If Amsterdam isn't on your list, you may still want to check out EasyToBook. They also have everything you need to make top-notch reservations in Prague, Rome and elsewhere.

Voice of the People Hollering about Cord Blood

2007-07-26T13:28:00.000-05:00

An article at the Herald-Dispatch, in its "Voice of the People" section features North Carolinian Celeste Ruby's plea for people to become registered blood marrow donors. Ruby also advises people to become umbilical cord blood donors.

Her argument is straightforward and succinct:

"I would also like to encourage everyone to donate their baby's cord blood. It, too, is full of potentially life-saving cells, and it does not require as close a match as cells from an adult would. It's a small thing to do that could save someone's life."

With all the argument and controversy surrounding cord blood and stem cells, it's refreshing to see a straightforward statement of this sort--cutting through all of the ancillary issues and stating a pretty simple fact or two.

We can argue about the specifics of cord blood and stem cell research, but we need to keep the bottom line in mind, just like Ruby does. Read her entire letter here.

Who Should Store Cord Blood?

2007-07-26T13:12:00.000-05:00

So, should you store your child's cord blood in a private bank, or make it readily available to others in the form of a donation? That can be a tough question.

Omaha, Nebraska's WOW-TV recently ran a story on the topic. Here's an excerpt:

"Parents like Maria Zellmer are only encouraged to store their baby's blood privately if a sibling has leukemia or another life threatening blood disease or if there's a family history.

Zellmer decided against it for her first and now second child for another reason; the expense.

It takes around $2,000 in start up costs and then yearly storage fees.

Instead she chose to donate the cord blood to help someone else."

If you'd like to take a look at this fairly balanced coverage of some key umbilical cord blood banking questions, the original story appears in its entirety here.

Finding Broadband in the UK

2007-06-27T15:39:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T15:22:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T15:17:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T14:47:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T14:24:00.000-05:00

"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

2007-06-27T14:18:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T14:04:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T13:59:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T13:50:00.000-05:00

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...

2007-06-27T12:24:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T11:11:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T11:07:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T10:48:00.000-05:00

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?

2007-06-27T10:44:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T10:25:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T10:11:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T09:54:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T09:48:00.000-05:00

"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

2007-06-27T09:40:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T09:24:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T09:17:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T09:09:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-27T08:40:00.000-05:00

"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!

2007-06-17T22:34:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-17T16:08:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-17T15:55:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-17T15:46:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-17T14:23:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-17T13:44:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-17T13:38:00.000-05:00

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.

Gold!

2006-12-01T10:25:00.000-06:00

Thinking about investing in gold? You certainly aren’t alone. Many smart investors are aware of today’s economic and political uncertainties and are using gold as a way to insulate their investment portfolios from potential market shocks. Gold is a consistent performer, but it really shines as an investment when things are uncertain. It’s a smart part of a diversified investment plan.

If you’d like to join with other savvy investors who are using gold and other precious metals to their advantage, you may want to contact the Monex Deposit Company (MDC). MDC has been helping investors buy and safely store gold and precious metals for over three decades. Gold has been a winner for centuries. Today is no exception.

Colorado Receives Federal Monies to Expand Cord Blood Banking

2006-11-22T13:31:00.000-06:00

According a Denver CBS television affiliate, the government is giving the Rocky Mountain state a one million dollar grant to assist in the expansion of its inventory of umbilical cord blood.

The money is part of a twelve million dollar effort to give six different banks more funding. The United State Department of Health and Human Services wants to help the University of Colorado's bank nearly double its cord blood inventory.

The story states, "The need for Hispanic, Asian and African-American cord blood is considered critical and the grant includes guidelines for collecting it from minority populations. Brian Freed, a professor of medicine at the CU medical school, said there will be a special emphasis on Hispanic donors in Colorado."

You can read the original source material here.

MedGadget makes blood banking / traditional banking comparison...

2006-11-22T13:27:00.000-06:00

Here's some interesting analogy in action... The folks at MedGadget discuss umbilical cord blood banking in an article called "Tied in Knots over Umbilical Cord Blood Bank."

The post addresses concerns that Indian blood banks may not be sufficiently regulated with respect to eligible purchasers of cord blood. That should definitely be a subject of concern for anyone with an affiliation of any sort to the cord blood banking industry.

The article also draws an interesting series of parallels between traditional "money banks" and "cord blood banks." The write:

"Cord Blood Banks are a lot like real ones:

The more people participate, the better the value for everyone.

It's free to make a deposit, but withdrawals come with all kinds of fees.

US banks are pretty well regulated. The rest of the world has its colorful outliers.

People fear that India, which is coming into the cord banking world now with LifeCell, may not be too stringent on who gets to buy their blood -- and people may be dying to donate."

You can read MedGadget's piece, in its entirety, here.

Heritage Cities = Great Trip Idea!

2006-11-22T13:13:00.000-06:00

Many travelers only think about London when considering British vacations. That's a mistake, because it leads many people to miss out on some of what are known as Britain's "heritage cities." Places like Bath, Chester, York, Oxford and Brighton can make incredible vacation destinations.

Consider Brighton in May, for instance. I bet you didn't know this, but every May, Brighton hosts an amazing mult-day arts festival that features everything from outdoor theater to street dances--and most options cost less than most one-month mobile phone deals. A trip to the historically significant and exciting heritage city of Brighton can be affordable, entertaining and a departure from the "oh, look, its Big Ben" London holiday.

Grab your contract phones, pack your bags and head off to Brighton or one of Britain's other "heritage cities." You'll have a blast and will probably save so much money on your trip that you'll be able to spring for the latest mobile phone once you get back home!

ViaCord is busting out the Cute Stuff...

2006-11-11T18:22:00.000-06:00

I just finished writing a post about Corcell's free PDF offering the "facts about cord blood banking." I usually don't spend a lot of time with the corporate forces in the field, but stopping by the Corcell page inspired me to check out a few others.

ViaCord has a very well-designed site that provides their take on the umbilical cord blood banking issue. Definitely a professional job all the way around and you can tell they took care and time in building it.

However, I am a little put off by all the Cute. I am referring to the multiple baby pictures on the page.

I have nothing against wee ones, of course, but there is something off-putting when the marketing approach for any service so obviously plucks at heart strings.

I am sure that the Madison Ave. wizards who came up with this are pretty darn sure that it get results, so what do I know?

Anyway, whether you agree (I do) or disagree with the idea of private cord blood banking, you might want to take a look at ViaCord and think about whether the IDEA or the EMOTIONS are governing the decision.

Corcell offers guide for those in the medical field...

2006-11-11T18:20:00.000-06:00

Corcell has a PDF available for download all about cord blood banking, banking options, etc. It is apparently designed for people who are currently working in the medical field.

Considering the source, you can bet your bottom dollar that it will be Thumbs Up across the board for umbilical cord blood banking. You can also bet that it will contain some interesting research and information no matter how you feel about the practice.

Excerpt:

"As a health care provider or other medical professional, you have more than likely come across a significant amount of information regarding umbilical cord blood stem cells from television news stories, newspaper articles, websites, professional medical journals, and curious patients interested in gaining a clearer understanding of their value. Fortunately, these are exciting times for the advancement of umbilical cord blood stem cell treatment."

You can find out more here.

NetResults for IMers who want to get results...

2006-11-11T18:11:00.000-06:00

In addition to providing cord blood information, I am interested in internet marketing. It's a great way to make money online and has the potential for huge earnings. The problem is that finding helpful information can be exceedingly difficult. So many of the sites you see are more interested in selling you something than in giving you valuable info.

That's why I was happy to hear that the search engine optimization gurus over at USWeb are starting an internet marketing blog. Called NetResults, this site will probably end up on the favorites list of many, many internet marketers.

They plan on tackling everything from successfully marketing within the Web 2.0 movement to more "mechanical" aspects of the industry like backend options and server matters. You can bet that with its USWeb pedigree, NetResults will also have some great info on how to make the search engines work to your advantage.

If you have an interest in IM, keep your eyes on NetResults. It promises to provide real, quality information without all of the hype that we so often find when looking at IM blogs.

Q & A on Cord Blood Banking

2006-11-09T23:38:00.000-06:00

A Yahoo!7Answers discussion about cord blood banking features a worth-reading discussion of whether banking a child's cord blood for later medical use at a private facility is worth the cost of the investment.

As you'd probably guess, the answers vary considerably. Some of the participants make good points, others are clearly suffering from a lack of information.

If I were trying to make the cord blood decision, I don't think I'd rely exclusively on the opinions of random non-experts, but the conversation itself is interesting and probably thought-provoking to those who are addressing the topic of cord blood banking for the first time.

Take a look at the answers here.

India gearing up to be major cord blood player...

2006-11-09T23:32:00.000-06:00

India is gearing up to be a major player in the international cord blood banking industry. They already have multiple umbilical cord blood banks in operation and plan more of them in the future.

A NewKerala article notes: "India's first cord blood stem-cell bank, LifeCell, was launched two years back. Reliance Life Sciences too has entered into the field. Cryobanks recently announced setting up seven banks across the country."

It also states: "Many therapies are expected over the next two to five years that promise cure for several diseases. And storage banks are also multiplying across the country, promising to store them at about half the cost in US."

If you are interested in the cord blood banking field, check out the full story. Not only does it discuss India's role in this fast-growing field, it also discusses the potential medical advances that might come about as a result of umbilical cord blood research. It's definitely worthy of your attention.

Link Popularity Notes

2006-11-09T23:30:00.000-06:00

Ever wonder how search engines decide which sites come up first in the list after you enter a query for a particular term? They use secret algorithms that assess many different factors. They look at on page structure, the nature of the content on the page and one other thing that is more important than most anything else--link popularity.

If you have a lot of sites linking to yours, the search engines naturally assume you must be doing something right. Inbound links are a vote of confidence in the eyes of Google and the other big engines. Those who have a ton of inbound links invariably rank higher than their competitors.

Obviously, you want as much search engine traffic as you can get. That means you want those links. Building a healthy link total, however, can be very tough. You either have to supply something the world will naturally want to link to or you have to try to organize link trades. There is another way…

You could get in touch with an outfit like Blogitive. Blogitive takes information about your site and puts it into the waiting hands of its army of bloggers. They will write about what you are doing AND will provide those critical links back to your site. No trades. No need to dream up incredibly popular viral content. Just get in touch with Blogitive and find out how you can boost your link totals in a hurry!

Cord Blood America goes to Greece.

2006-11-08T01:46:00.000-06:00

A press release from the people at Cord Blood America, Inc. announces that they will begin an umbilical cord blood banking operation in Greece. The program will be a partnership between the self-proclaimed "umbilical cord stem cell preservation company" and a Greek company, identified as a.bourkas Co. United, Athens.

A spokesperson for CBAI states:

"This is our first venture in the international stem cell market and we are confident the global distribution model we will develop in Greece will prove useful elsewhere in the world, as the extraordinary wisdom of banking umbilical cord blood cells continues to spread among families all across the globe. Testing sales and marketing patterns through the distributor model in Greece is a logical step for Cord Blood America. We hope to draw conclusions from this that will lead to further international business development initiatives."

Looks like stem cell research and cord blood banking continues to grow as an international industry. If youd like to read more of what the folks at CBAI have to say, you can read the original press release, in its entirety, here.

Mom-to-be laments online cord blood banking campaign...

2006-11-08T01:41:00.000-06:00

The Chattanooga Times recently ran an editorial piece from a pregnant woman who felt overwhelmed by the nature and quantity of online information regarding parenting. There's apparently just too much out there and it was hard for her to sort through all of it.

Thus, instead of improving her research skills, developing an ability to separate wheat from chaff, or attempting to ingest as much knowledge as possible, she decided to surrender.

In her complaints about the online world of baby info, she specifically critiquest the cord blood banking industry and its blanket coverage. She writes:

"Parenting Web sites also have some sort of Mafia deal with the cord-blood banking companies. I don't have any strong feelings either way about cord blood banking, but I was a little bit taken aback by the marketing campaign, which came via e-mail, snail mail and by stork-carried telegram, mysteriously after I signed up for these e-mail alerts. OK, not really that last one. But sheesh, cord blood bank people! I get the message! I'm dealing with a lot of information here, and I could use a little less to wade through."

I don't know why cord blood banking critics or advocates should cut down on the information supply because some woman writing in a Tennessee paper feels overloaded. It's an important issue and those with opinions and positions should feel free to say what's on their mind.

You can read the piece here.

Online degree options...

2006-11-08T01:19:00.000-06:00

If you want a business degree online, you need to pick up the phone and dial 888-CAPELLA. That will put you in touch with the folks at Capella University, which offers distance learning programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Whether you're interested in graduate studies or need to wrap up a four year degree, Capella can help. This recognized college has been in operation since 1993 and boasts an impressive enrollment of over 16,000 students from all around the world.

The nice thing about Capella is that it's the "real deal." We've all seen the media coverage of bogus online diploma mills that do very little other than steal money from their students. That's not the Capella strategy. Capella is based here in the USA (Minnesota, to be exact) and can be proud of its accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission. Further proof of its credibility can be found in its ongoing membership in the Chicago-based North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Capella offers many different online degree options. Multiple bachelors plans and graduate programs are available, as are specialized certification courses. Getting the degree you need doesn't necessarily require participating in the traditional college plan. Check with Capella and see how they can make your life easier by providing great distance learning options.

Syracuse students have split opinions on cord blood facility, stem cell research...

2006-11-07T11:02:00.000-06:00

The Daily Orange notes that:

"Gov. George E. Pataki recently announced that the center, a collaboration of the state health department, the State University of New York's Upstate Medical University and the New York State Blood and Tissue Council, will be opened to research stem cells."

The facility will utilize umbilical cord blood for research purposes.

The article shows that the students at Syracuse have mixed reactions to the news. While some seem excited at the prospect of beating diseases like cancer, others have reservations about stem cell research and cloning.

You can read the Orange article to learn how a handful of Syracuse students felt about the presence of the new research center.

New York Blood Center to receive federal funds...

2006-11-07T10:57:00.000-06:00

According to this recently-issued media release,

"New York Blood Center (NYBC) announced today that it will receive $3 million of a $12 million federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) award as allocated by Congress, to help establish a national cord blood inventory. The funding will be used to help build a national public inventory of 150,000 high-quality cord blood units, thereby increasing transplant opportunities for patients suffering from various blood diseases, who before the use of cord blood, had relied strictly on bone marrow transplantation for treatment and survival."

It looks like the federal government is beginning to get serious about the creation and maintenance of a national cord blood inventory, doesn't it? With stem cell research from embryos a political hot potato, more and more attention may end up being focused on umbilical cord blood banking than what some may have expected.

Notes on VoIP!

2006-11-07T10:53:00.000-06:00

VoIP used to be the next big thing. Now, it's THE big thing. If you are still paying traditional fees for long-distance, etc., and are relying on an old-school phone company, it is time to get up to speed and embrace Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony.
ViaTalk, a division of HostRocket, provides top-notch internet phone service via VoIP. They can take care of business or residential customers.

Their comprehensive broadband VoIP service features great tech support and a powerful fiber optic network to provide crystal clear calls all the time. ViaTalk packages offer all of the bonus features you'd expect, plus some you probably wouldn't. Of course, it's VoIP, which makes it an incredibly cost effective internet phone service.

Internet phone service isn't something you might want to do someday. It is THE money-saving telephone solution for TODAY. ViaTalk's broadband phone service is a perfect example of why new technology is destroying the old phone companies!

Advantages of using cord blood stem cells to fight disease...

2006-10-27T11:01:00.000-05:00

With the hoopla over the Michael J. Fox ads, Rush Limbaugh's uncanny ability to simultaneously fit prescription drugs, cigars, viagra and his foot in his mouth simultaneously, and the rapidly approaching November elections, the topic of stem cell research is getting a great deal of additional attention these days.

I found this at the Cord Blood Registry Report. With all of the talk about these issues, it does make sense to define terms carefully. This post talks about the difference between embryonic stem cells and those culled from umbilical cord blood. It has an unabashedly pro-umbilical cord blood banking spin, but it is worth reading if you are still sorting things out with respect to the terminology used in the ongoing debate.

Give it a read. You can find it right here.

Michael J. Fox-directed diatribe does make one good point...

2006-10-27T10:55:00.000-05:00

If you are in the mood to read some conservadribble, you might want to check out this post at "If You're Left You can't be Right," which is a reactionary supercon blog. The post on the recent Michael J. Fox and the political ads re: stem cell initiatives is standard bloviatory silliness from the school of half-thought.

However, it does make one good point. See, I can find something good in just about everything. It is right that umbilical cord blood and the stem cells therein have the potential to spur scientific advances without even raising the moral questions inherent in the embryonic stem cell debate.

"For non-adult stem cell research, a morally unquestionable alternative source exists: stem cells drawn from umbilical cord blood. Already a bank exists in Dubai collecting cord blood stem cells."

Considering funeral flowers...

2006-10-25T18:37:00.000-05:00

In the event you should need to purchase funeral flowers, you may want to consider the unique services of Dot Flowers. Dot Flowers does everything you'd expect from a florist. They offer a variety of arrangements and options. They also do more.

They are particularly dedicated to the proper delivery of funeral flowers and display a commitment to handling the details associated with the even t properly. From making a courtesty call to the funeral home to confirm delivery logistics to verifying proper receipt of the arrangement, Dot Flowers makes the process of handling funeral flower needs less stressful.

More on gold...

2006-10-25T18:12:00.000-05:00

Gold. The very word "gold" conjures up images of wealth and value. That reputation is well-deserved. Throughout history, gold bullion has captured the attention of all people and has been an inarguable symbol of wealth. We no longer spend our gold coins with merchants, but gold bullion still has tremendous value. Gold is a stable investment, capable of weathering the storms of political and economic stability.

Many wise invesetors include gold in their investment portfolios and many more are beginning to understand its true value in these uncertain times. The Monex Deposit company, MDC, allows individuals to buy gold and other precious metals. They can be delivered immediately or held in safe storage at secure repositories. Monex companies have been a leader in gold investment for over three decades.

Taking Gold Seriously

2006-10-25T09:49:00.000-05:00

You've undoubtedly seen many online gold investment opportunities. You may have been intrigued by the potential of gold trading, but put off by some of these offers due to concerns about the parties involved. BullionVault.com might change your thinking and compel you to investigate gold investment more seriously. That's because BullionVault.com takes gold seriously.

BullionVault is a means by which people can sell and purchase gold bullion from their computer. The gold itself is truly held in an assortment of vaults around the world. BullionVault.com gold is held in secure Brinks vaults making trading safe and secure. They offer daily account reconciliation and means by which to verify appropriate bullion ownership. They provide a live order board to facilitate easy trading.

Although the Cord Blood Banking Clearinghouse does not provide financial advice, does not advocate any particular investment strategy, and disclaims any liability related to actions taken on the part of its readers, it does appear as though BullionVault.com warrants the consideration and attention of potential investors. Gold investment, like all forms of investment, does carry risk, but global political instability, unpredictable economic circumstances and rising US trade deficits continue to position gold as a stellar investment opportunity. Those tracking the markets will know that gold has nearly doubled in value over the past five years. It's a sound potential investment for the right person using the right tools.

Interesting case re: 9/11 fund...

2006-10-15T17:29:00.000-05:00

A widow of a victim of the Sept. 11 attacks sought compensation from the federal Victims Compensation Fund. She hired an attorney to represent her in the action, but the lawyer in question sought a startling $2 million dollars contingency fees for his effort. The attorney in question then filed for a judgment entitling him to the fee. The widow, not surprisingly, felt that the amount demanded was inappropriate considering the no-fault nature of the VCF. Simmons, Jannace & Stagg represented the widow as she fought the demand for $2 million. After demonstrating a lack of jurisdiction for the federal court, and stayed the judgment. This represents the first known federal court decision regarding attorney fee disputes and the 9/11 fund.

Poker in the blogosphere...

2006-10-10T10:13:00.000-05:00

The Blogger Poker Tour proves that the popular card game has a very strong fan base within the blogosphere. The Blogger Poker Tour (BPT) is a running series of blogger-hosted tourneys with a series-ending payout of over $12K.

The Blogger Poker Tour will be offering a series of seven $500 freeroll contents at Poker.com. Each one will be "hsoted" by a participating blogger. Points are assigned to players based on how well they perform throughout the multiple events. The twenty card sharks who end up on top of the BPT leader board will participate in the final event, splitting over $25K in prizes.

If you thought you were the only blogger who loved a good game of poker, think again. Check out The Blogger Poker Tour and play along with others who know how to check raise, bluff, and post to a weblog!

Fortunately, there is an alternative to the standard university

2006-09-29T11:23:00.000-05:00

One of the most efficacious means of increasing one's earning power and/or prospects for advancement in the corporate world is via the attainment of an advanced degree. Today, advanced degree completion is almost what a four-year college degree was just a few short years ago--it is becoming a prerequisite for business advancement.

The prospect of going back to school, unfortunately, is unattractive to many people. They don't want to deal with the inflexible schedules, overpriced texts, outrageous tuition costs and other problems. Fortunately, there is an alternative to the standard university. One can earn a ms, ma or mba online through a university dedicated to distance learning.

Capella University, for instance, has been helping students to complete their degrees via the internet for nearly fifteen years. They boast a virtual enrollment of over 15000 students and are recognized by the Higher Learning Commission and other bodies. If you are looking for a way to move up a few rungs on the corporate ladder, you may want to consider your online options.

Spears Kid Makes Esquire

2006-09-22T05:15:00.000-05:00

Britney Spears, whose fame continues despite an apparent disinterest in creating any new material, dumped $5K on clothes at a trendy LA clothier in the same amount of time it takes to watch a re-run of Gilligan's Island. According to a UK paper who was stalking/tracking/watching the teen icon-turned-mommy, she spent a good portion of her time checking out the baby clothes.

That attention to youngster wardrobe landed her kid, Sean Preston, on Esquire's best-dressed list, believe it or not. Most of us are content to put our kids into something that at least vaguely matches and are cool with t-shirts from retailers of personalized baby gifts. Then again, most of our kids don't make Esquire.

Stock options trading note...

2006-07-28T15:22:00.000-05:00

Owning stock in a growing company is a great investment. However, when that company is reinvesting its wealth in growth and isn't paying dividends it can be a little frustrating for the investor who would like to see more immediate cash flow. There is no way to make that non-dividend paying stock start cutting you checks directly, but you can do the next best thing if you are proficient in stock option trading. Basically, you sell the option to buy your stock at a predetermined price to someone else. You get paid for the sale of the option right away. Instant cash with retention of the stock until the predesignated point. It's a potential winner for those who know how to get it done right. PowerOptions provides the tools and info you need to make it work for you. Check them out and take a look at stock options trading today.

car insurance notes....

2006-07-28T15:01:00.000-05:00

Don't drive alone. It's a safety thing. Women traveling alone are a bit more vulnerable than we'd like, so it makes sense to travel with a partner. If you don't have a real life volunteer, you can try a "buddy on demand." That's a blow up doll version of a male traveling companion you can put in the front seat. I heard about it at Sheila's Wheels, where I also found another great way to drive with some added support--by finding a good insurance company that offers great rates. This site is so easy to use and it allows you to shop for car insurance quotes from multiple providers quickly and easily. Get good insurance, save money, and be safe! That's a recipe for success. Go find a great car insurance quote now.

CREDIT CARDS

2006-07-20T12:29:00.000-05:00

The price of umbilical cord banking at private companies can be substantial. Not everyone has that kind of money is savings, so some turn to credit cards to finance the decision. A credit card can be a great way to secure the things that are important to you, even though you'd probably prefer to have had the money sitting around in cash.

Credit cards offer additional flexibility, as well. You need a card to book a hotel room or to even rent a card. Online buying is significantly curtailed when one lacks a credit card. To be farnk, those who don't have a credit card are often trated like second class citizens in today's economy. Anyone caught in that situation needs to find a card.

Fortunately, you can find a lot of great information about available credit card options and links to a ton of different credit card applications online in a no-obligation environment. Do your research and you could end up with one of the many available great credit cards.

Information on Choosing a Cord Blood Bank

2006-07-10T15:56:00.000-05:00

This reprinted article provides some guidance in choosing a cord blood bank.

Note that the article presupposes the desirability of cord blood banking and does not address arguments against the practice. Although not a comprehensive look at cord blood harvesting and storage, it is interesting.

Excerpt:

"Once you have made the decision to invest in your family’s future by banking your baby’s umbilical cord blood, begin the search for the right cord blood bank. There are numerous cord blood banks all over the country that serve as storage facilities for this crucial item, so make your decision carefully. Many parents find this search daunting, simply due to the sheer number of facilities available."