how many of you decided to save the cord blood? if yes, why? if not, why not?
How many of you are actually planning to save the cord blood? to give you an idea, first time cost is usually $2000-2500 and then an annual cost of $100-150!
cord blood contains stem cells that can regenerate all bkood and immune cells and with all this research for different diseases and their treatment it looks like an insurance for your baby, your family, or someone who may need it.. your thoughts?
Re: Banking cord blood?
hubby and i are debating it. and actually, at mt. sinai, where i'm planning to deliver iA, the papers we received said collecting the blood is $1000 and its $120 every year to store it. financially, its not un-doable, and God forbid something should happen, it would be good to know we have that resource available to us. i'm strongly leaning towards it. i don't see it as being very different from buying life insurance for yourself or your family, except that in this way you might actually save a life.
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My cousin did it for her second kid and was encouraging us to do it too. Madam came as such a surprise that we hadn't had a chance to really think it through and just decided against it (after others also said it wasn't really needed).
I don't know. It's confusing.
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I donated the cord blood of both my kids. It was such a blessing for them to start out their lives helping someone.
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I didn't know there was a Mount Sinai in Toronto as well. That's a great hospital!
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I didn't do that just because somehow I never got around to it! My friend is actually going to take advantage of this as her son was born with some developmental issues and now doctors are saying they can treat him with the stem cells to a great extent.
I think it's a good idea, but stem cell research has a lot of controversy behind it.
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We're contemplating it as well - financially I don't think its a large strain - during our hospital tour we were told the intial charge would be around $1000 and $120 a year after to store it.
I think I'm going to go for it - I haven't met anyone who regrets doing it.
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oh $1000 is even better.. I wonder if the cost difference is for being in the US or Canada.. anyway I dun think 2k is bad either.. we are not pregnant yet but we have already talked and discussed and are definitely going for it inshaAllah just based on our personal experience!
My best friend's son was diagnosed with thalasemia out of no where.. parents tried to do the IVF for the cord blood match twice but the procedure failed, bone marrow match didn't happen either based on his ehtnic background (not many desis are aware about donating bone marrow) so we prayed and prayed hoping for the best.. and finally found a non related cord blood match Alhamdulillah.. it just made us realize how that 2k saved the lil one's life and if we are ever in a position to donate if needed, will not hesistate to do that either inshaAllah!
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We're contemplating it as well - financially I don't think its a large strain - during our hospital tour we were told the intial charge would be around $1000 and $120 a year after to store it.
I think I'm going to go for it - I haven't met anyone who regrets doing it.
I think we got the same literature :D
where are you delivering? you must be due any day now iA?
Eastern, yeah, Mt. Sinai has got one of the best neo-natal units in Toronto, and a very long tradition of birthing babies. its an excellent hospital. now lets hope i get good nurses! :p
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congrats sgc, i didnt know u were expecting!!!
i havent decided yet what to do when my time comes..but i would either bank it or donate it, would hate for it to go to waste when i know it can help someone
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I will definitely donate it IA. Someone can benefit from it. Husband is not crazy about the idea of banking.
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We decided not to...we didn't think it was important at the time..
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The stem cell controversy pertains to stem cells from embroys. The stem cells from umblical cords remain controversy free.
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Interesting.. we used to feel the same that there is no need for it until someone we love so much desperately needed the cord blood and seeing how the parents were trying so hard to have another baby for the particular reason, it just felt like it's one of those things that if we have it, it's not gonna hurt but if we don't we may regret it.. god forbid, that we ever need it but considering how desis are really not into it, it's so hard to find a match for desi children who may be suffering from a disease that cord blood could save life!
I like the donating idea too.. does anyone know if you can do both, donate to someone who may need it and bank it for your children?
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^ i guess it depends on how much they take, and how much is needed? i love the idea of being able to donate a portion of it, but i admit, i’m selfish enough to want to keep most of it for my children if they should need it in the future! 
then again, this is an interesting point i just read…
It’s important to note that in many cases – many childhood cancers, for example – it’s better not to treat children with their own cord blood. The sick child’s stem cells probably carry the same defect, and you’d potentially be transplanting the seeds of the disease back into the patient.
addendum: GTG, i think its one or the other. when you donate cord blood, it goes into a public bank so it doesn’t cost you anything the public bank pays for it, but then you don’t have the option of getting it back. hrm. lots to think about!
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I just had this conversation a couple of days ago with a few friends.
Inshallah, when the time comes I am definitely doing this. There are more pros than cons and you just never know with all the family history we have of diseases. :(