Cord Blood Banking
Cord blood banking is relatively new in the Philippines. However, it’s something that’s huge in developed countries like Singapore. What is it exactly? Simply put, it’s a service wherein you store your baby’s cord blood.
Why would anyone want to store cord blood? Did you know that the baby’s cord blood is a great source of stem cells? These stem cells can help treat several life threatening diseases. When someone encounters a life threatening disease like leukemia, his family looks for compatible stem cells. But if you were able to store your baby’s stem cells, you don’t have to look all over the world for compatible stem cells since you have them stored.
Now, it may sound like something that you shouldn’t worry about. Sure, you can just get health insurance for your baby. But no amount of health insurance can help your baby if he needs stem cells in order to get better. You may have a healthy pregnancy and it looks like that you’ll have a healthy baby. But can you really predict the future? Can you guarantee perfect health for your baby 10, 20 years from now?
Like what I’ve told my wife, it’s an investment for our baby’s health. However, we’re hoping that it’s an investment that we’ll NEVER need. But I’ve always believed in expecting the worst and hoping for the best. While hoping that nothing will happen, I’d like to be prepared for the worst.
Besides, we as parents can use the stem cells as well. There’s a huge chance that the stem cells will be compatible with us and we’ll be able to use them when needed. Same goes for Reese’s future brother or sister. But that’s something that we’re not thinking of yet.
How Does it Work?
Disclaimer: Again, I’m not a doctor and the information on this post are based on my own research and the information given to me by the Cordlife Philippines agent. Talk to an agent or OB directly for more accurate information. I won’t be held liable for any wrong information on this post if any.
Based on my research, stem cells have this ability to renew itself. So you’re basically introducing healthy stem cells in order for them to self-renew and combat whatever’s making you sick. You can’t get healthier stem cells anywhere than the baby’s cord blood.
Success Story
Back in 2004, a 4 year old boy from Singapore has been living with lymphoblastic leukemia for about a year and several tries with treatment failed. Fortunately, the boy’s parents decided to store the boy’s younger sister’s cord blood and they were able to use the stem cells for his treatment. Eighteen months later, the boy’s leukemia is in remission. This is just one of the success stories of stem cell treatment.
Diseases that Stem Cells can Help Treat
Right now, stem cells have successfully helped treat patients with diseases like lymphoma and leukemia. There are a few more. However, it’s best that you ask your OB for the information since I’m not a doctor. You can also ask the Cordlife agent for more information especially since there are countless of studies that are being done these days to discover more diseases that stem cells can help treat.
Cordlife Philippines
Fortunately, you don’t have to go to Singapore for cord blood banking. Cordlife has a facility in the Philippines so securing your baby’s health is now very easy. Here’s the process:
- Get in touch with a Cordlife agent. Contact me and I can refer you to our agent.
- The agent will meet up with you so she can answer all your questions.
- You will sign up some forms that include your medical history. Expect to answer some very awkward questions but I do see their relevance.
- Decide on how you’re going to pay for it. I’ll have to admit that it’s a little bit on the expensive side. We had to pay almost Php 50,000 initially. This covers everything for the processing, extraction, testing, etc. Basically, they’ll take care of everything and you don’t have to worry about a thing. After that, you only need to pay Php 8,000 a year for storage. They do have promos and flexible payment terms so feel free to ask the agent.
- They’ll give you a kit that you need to give to your wife’s OB. The OB will need that kit to extract the cord blood.
- You need to inform them as soon as you’re on your way to the hospital. If your wife is scheduled for CS, tell them the date. A representative will arrive to assist the OB when needed and to transport the cord blood to their facility.
Is it Worth it?
Again, I’ll be the first one to admit that it’s expensive. But can we really put a price on our baby’s health? It’s one of the best investments that we’ve ever made especially with the peace of mind that comes with it. Besides, studies have shown that 1 in 217 people may need stem cells treatment at least once in their lifetime. That’s not something that I’d like to risk.
If you’re still in doubt, talk to a Cordlife Philippines representative. They’ll be able to explain more about it. Contact me and I’ll refer you to our agent. She’s really nice and accommodating so I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to answer your questions.
