A Gift for life HTA Licence No. 22653
2 3 the best possible gift for your new born child. 4 6 8 9 10 12 14 16 19 what is cord blood current treatments services contents properties for treatment process frequently asked questions about Protean Cells additional services connect to us
4 5 What is Cord Blood Safeguard your loved ones and generations to come You are thinking of saving your baby s cord blood and probably have many questions in your mind. One of them is what really does cord blood do? And should you make such an investment? Saving cord blood, a decision to be made? Saving cord blood stem cells is a decision that is a unique opportunity for the entire family, and the stem cells are unique to your baby and other family members. Banking stem cells is the key to future treatment possibilities. To answer it simply, cord blood stem cells are being used in transplant medicine for over 20 years, and are doing some amazing things in treatment of serious diseases, changing the lives of families across the world. What is cord blood? Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, the building blocks of human life. These cells have the power to cure and heal a growing number of diseases. Stem cells derived from the cord blood have been used in transplant medicine for over 20 years, treating cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. Research is looking at other potential therapies where clinical trials are underway to look at the use of stem cells from the cord blood in many other diseases. What is cord tissue? Umbilical cord tissue contains special kind of stem cells - with different properties to cord blood stem cels. Protean Cells offers the storage of cord tissue for potential treatment of diseases.
6 7 Current Treatments treatment with stem cells is a reality cord blood for the baby Cord blood stem cells have been used in treatment of 80 diseases, most of them being genetic disorders and typically requiring a transplant, where a sibling s cord blood is often the best match for a transplant. Current treatments generally fall into different sorts of cancers, bone marrow failure syndromes, immunodeficiencies, blood disorders/ hemoglobinopathies and metabolic disorders (refer to treatment list for complete details). Cord blood can treat diseases for the baby him/herself for a small number of non-genetic diseases such as anemia, bone marrow failure disorders and cancers. Leukemias and lymphomas that develop later in life may also be treated with your own cord blood. Clinical trials to study treatments for diseases like cerebral palsy, type 1 diabetes and autism, which require the use of child s own cord blood are being carried out. banking cord blood As is the case with bone marrow transplants, cord blood stem cells must match a patient before they can be used for treatment. Family banking with Protean Cells shall improve the chances of finding a match for the family when there is a need. Facts: Stem cells will be a perfect match for the baby for his or her treatment Siblings have up to 75% chance of being a match for each other Research has shown that using matched cord blood from a relative will double the chance of transplant success
8 9 services Protean Cells offers highest standards in cord blood stem cells and cord tissue storage. Giving you the peace of mind when storing with us. Cord Blood Cord Blood & Tissue Properties for treatment Cord Tissue Research has shown that stem cells found in the cord tissue has the potential to regenerate other cells as well as structural and connective tissue to treat: Liver fibrosis Lung cancer Parkinson s disease Rheumatoid arthritis Sports injuries (cartilage) Stroke Type 1 diabetes Cord Blood Cord blood stem cells can regenerate tissue, organs, blood and the immune system to treat: Blood disorders Bone marrow failure syndromes Cancers Hemoglobinopathies Immunodeficiencies Metabolic disorders Cord blood stem cells processing, testing and storage which includes the following: Cord blood stem cells and cord tissue storage which includes the following: Collection Kit Procurement of sample Maternal Blood Testing Testing & Processing of Stem Cells 25 Years storage Certificate of Storage Shipping to a transplant centre Collection Kit Procurement of sample Maternal Blood Testing Testing & Processing (cord blood only) 25 Years storage Certificate of Storage Shipping to a transplant centre
10 11 Process Protean Cells is here to make your stem cells banking experience the best possible by providing you with a streamlined collection procedure and making it as smooth as possible for you on that big day. Collection The process of collecting your newborn baby s cord blood and tissue is painless, non-disruptive and has no adverse effect on your birth plan. After the baby is born, your baby s umbilical cord is clamped and cut. That s when the cord blood would be collected (which generally is discarded as medical waste). The entire procedure takes 5 minutes and the package is ready to be sent over to us. Transportation Once the sample has been packed your husband or family member would call the number provided to arrange for pick-up, TESTING, PROCESSING & STORAGE Once we receive your collection kit, it is passed through our testing experts. All testing is conducted under a highly controlled environment. Cord Blood is then processed to keep more of what is required and therefore Red blood cells (RBS s) are reduced as well as unwanted plasma. Cells are further spun in centrifuge to separate non-useful components in the sample. Cord Tissue is tested through a sterility test and the condition is checked, passing which it is stored. ORDER COLLECTION KIT You can order through the phone, or online STEP 1 Collection Sample collected at time of birth by medical professional STEP 2 Transport Sample is taken to our laboratory by our designated courier STEP 3 Processing Samples are tested and processed by highly qualified experts STEP 4 Storage Sample is stored in cryo-genic storage for 25 years STEP 5 this would then be brought to our laboratory where it would be tested, processed and stored.
12 13 frequently asked questions Protean Cells is here to provide you answers to all your questions in making this very important decision Is the procedure painful? The procedure for collection of cord blood and cord tissue is totally harmless to the mother and child. Can the collection be done in both natural and caesarean section? Yes. In the case of a Caesarean the collection would take place after the delivery of the placenta, as it would in the case of natural birth. Who collects the sample? must be performed by a trained and licensed healthcare professional. This could be your private obstetrician or midwife or a phlebotomist. Do I have to pay to use the sample in the future? There is no additional charge for the use of the sample in the How can the stem cells be used in the future? Stem cells transplantation is basically the infusion of the stem cells into your body. Healthy stem cells help your body make enough white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets and reduce the risk of life- The collection of the sample future. threatening infections, anaemia and bleeding. Can the stem cells be stored for more then 25 years? Can I donate cord blood stem There is currently no evidence cells? to suggest that stem cells Protean Cells provide private deteriorate after 25 years of stem cells banking and the stem storage. cells are stored for your private use. Cord blood and cord tissue have been used in transplants for many years. Can I pay in installments? You can arrange for payment in installments if your application for the facility is approved.
14 15 About Protean Cells giving you peace of mind and a service that is quality driven Protean Cells with its team of experts and third party laboratory (UKPSS) has extensive experience of cord blood and cord tissue stem cells banking. Protean Cells employs the services of UK Processing and Storage Services (UKPSS) which operates in a controlled and safe environment. UKPSS operates under a HTA licence and holds the following Accreditations: JACIE The Joint Accreditation Committee for the two leading scienfitic organisation involved with blood and bone marroederived stem cell transplantation in Europe. ISO 9001 Standard Quality management processes in place to ensure the highest standards are maintained. NEQAS National External Quality Assessment Service to ensure that the facilities fulfil quality goals and facilitate optimal patient care. British Association of Tissue Banking (BATB) International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) Providing you the highest quality with peace of mind when storing stem cells for your child(ren). Protean Cells holds a Human Tissue Authority (HTA) Licence for procurement, import and distribution (Licence No. 22653) If you have any further questions about our accreditations and partner laboratory do not hesitate to contact us: info@proteancells.com
16 17 ADDITIONAL SERVICES we ensure you are given everything you need for the day Protean Cells has arrangements with phlebotomy companies in order to ensure that your day goes smoothly. The collection of cord blood and tissue has to be done by a qualified health professional and we can arrange the collection through Protean Cells approved phlebotomists. If you have any further questions about additional services please do not hesitate to contact us: info@proteancells.com
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get in touch landline +44 (0)20 3752 6963 +44 (0)20 3752 6964 email info@proteancells.com Protean Cells Limited 429-433 Pinner Road Harrow HA1 4HN United Kingdom www.proteancells.com