Protect your family s future The Leading Cell Bank www.stemology.co.uk Stem Cell Banking Umbilical Cord For women in their 1st, 2nd or 3rd Trimester of Pregnancy
Introduction to Stemology Imagine you could replace any cells in your body that have been attacked or destroyed by disease. Imagine re-building your immune system or even creating new organs to replace damaged ones. Did you know that your imagination became reality in 1988? Stem cell therapy has been used around the globe to successfully treat more than 80 diseases and with the research and development underway, their potential in modern medicine is unlimited. This is because stem cells are the most basic of human cells and have the ability to transform into any of the 220 different cells in our body (i.e. bone, blood, tissue and organ cells). This means that the same stem cells can be used for different applications within your body. Stemology, a UK based stem cell preservation company collect, process, store and release stem cell units for use in the treatment of children and adults with life-threatening illnesses. We want to inform the UK on the facts and benefits of stem cell storage and hope by the end of this brochure that you are as excited about stem cells as we are. Although this service is little known in the UK, it is almost common practice in many foreign developed countries. For example in Singapore 1 in 4 children born have their cells stored and approximately 7% of the population of the USA store their cells each year. This is your once in a lifetime opportunity to store your baby s stem cells. Once you have given birth it will be too late to protect your family against serious illness or disease. 1/
What are Stem Cells? 2/
Stem cells are biological cells found in the body which can be used to replace or repair diseased or missing cells. They can be seen as the building blocks of life as each and every one of us was made from them. Over 10 years ago, medical research found that the highest levels of stem cells are found in the umbilical cord and tissue which can be collected easily and painlessly at the time of birth. Stem cells are not a new discovery. In fact, they have been used in medicine for decades - usually harvested from bone marrow in a process that takes weeks, causes much pain and has a mediocre success rate. This is because bone marrow has a low concentration of stem cells and often the host body would reject the transfusion due to blood mismatches. These collected cells are a 100% match for your newborn baby and can also be used for siblings or other direct family members. Stem Cell transplants have lower risk of Graft Vs Host disease compared to a bone marrow transplants and are the best way to safeguard your child s health as they grow older. 3/
Cord blood Stem Cells Storing your baby s stem cells at the time of birth is a once in a lifetime opportunity to protect your family against serious illness or disease. Stored stem cells can be transplanted at NHS facilities in the UK and private clinics across the world. There are two main types of Stem Cells: Haematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). HSCs are found in cord blood and are primarily treat blood disorders and cancers whilst MSCs are found in the cord tissue and are for regenerative purposes. Cord blood stem cells (HSCs) are taken from the blood in the umbilical cord at the time of birth.hscs are used to treat blood disorders and can convert themselves into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Just a few of the diseases that have been treated with HSCs are listed overleaf. 1988 A New Beginning The first cord blood transplant using cord blood stem cells was in 1988 for a young boy suffering from Fanconi s Anaemia. The cord blood was obtained from his new born sister and the transplant was a complete success. Since then, over 30,000 successful transplants have taken place worldwide. 4/
Benefits Just some diseases that Haematopoietic stem cells have been used to treat: Gliomas & other Solid Tumors Metachromatic Leukodystrophy Leukaemia Neuroblastoma Inborn errors of Metabolism Myelodysplastic Syndromes Immune Deficiency Syndromes Cancer Acute & Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (AML & CML) Chronic Granulomatous Disease Anaemia Sickle-cell Disease Hodgkin & Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Sanfilippo Syndrome Krabbe Disease Aplastic & Fanconi Anaemia Thalassaemia Cerebral Palsy Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) This is already an extensive list but regeneration of whole organs has taken place and trials are now underway to increase the speed at which wounds heal. I m sure you can imagine the infinite possibilities of stem cell treatments and the importance of storing your cells for a safer future. 5/
Cord tissue, another source of stem cells Cord Tissue (otherwise known as Wharton s Jelly) is another source of stem cells, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). Mesenchymal Stem Cells are linked to regenerative medicines as they can transform into a multitude of cells. These include: Bone Cells Muscle Cells Marrow Cells Cartilage Cells Skin Cells Tendon and Ligament Cells Nerve Cells Fat Cells 6/
Cord tissue is, currently, primarily used to treat Graft Vs Host Disease (GvHD). GvHD can occur in any transplant but the likeliness of it is lower in cord blood stem cell transplants than in bone marrow transplants. However the real benefit of Cord Tissue stem cells are in their regenerative capabilities. Being able to transform into a multitude of cell types mean that MSCs can be used for any regenerative medicine and replacement retina cells have recently been created from them. Stemology firmly believe that storing umbilical cord tissue as well as the cord blood is the safest and most reliable way to protect your family s future. Cord tissue can also be collected easily and safely. After the delivery of the placenta, the tissue is isolated from the rest of the cord and placed into a container containing a preserving liquid. Once it arrives at the laboratory the tissue is immediately processed and then preserved in a liquid nitrogen freezer where it will remain for use in the future. Cord Tissue may also be used to treat: Multiple Sclerosis Autism Stroke Chronic autoimmune and inflammatory conditions Diabetes Artificial valves and capillaries Parkinson s disease Gene therapy 7/
Storing volume reduced blood VS whole blood? When preserving blood there are two options: Whole Blood and Volume Reduced. At Stemology we only use the Volume reduced method and will explain why below Its Safer The volume reduction method reduces the red blood cell content and cleans the stem cells before freezing whilst the whole blood method simply freezes the blood as it is without any processing. The freezing process used to preserve the sample can cause red blood cells to burst, resulting in toxic red blood cell fragments within the sample which can result in kidney damage after transplantation. Removing the red blood cells also has the added benefit of minimising blood type incompatibility if the sample is used for another family member. Industry Standards Volume reducing samples are the industry standard in the UK and the USA. Both the NHS Cord Blood Bank and the Anthony Nolan Trust store volume reduced stem cells, as do the majority of private banks around the world. At Stemology, we use the same processing techniques employed by most public banks as this method has been proven to give better results after freezing and thawing. 8/
Its Smaller Volume reducing makes the sample smaller. This is important because it s necessary to use a substance called DMSO in the freezing process. DMSO has been associated with cardiac problems, breathing difficulty and serious high or low blood pressure. By making the sample smaller (and more concentrated) we use proportionately less DMSO. To summarise, any cord blood bank offering you a whole blood service will have a higher chance of giving you a sample which you cannot use in the future, which makes the whole process a waste of time and money. They may tell you the opposite but some research will easily show you that they are simply covering the fact that they do not process the cord and tissue cells before storage. They are also using higher quantities of DMSO to freeze your sample which negatively affects the stem cells. The table below outlines the core differences between both methods Cord Blood is cleaned to remove debris before processing Smaller Quantity of DMSO used in the freezing process Red Blood Cells are removed to reduce the chance of Graft Vs. Host Disease and increase the potential to use the sample for siblings or parents Uses the same processing method as Anthony Nolan and the NHS Whole Blood Banks X X X X Stemology 9/
Keeping your sample safe 10/
Storing a sample with Stemology could save your child s life. We understand this all too well and so we have procedures in place to keep your preserved cells safe and free from contamination All Samples are given a UIN (unique identification number) to ensure full tracking Our freezers are run using Liquid Nitrogen so they are less susceptible to electrical faults We have Emergency Backup Generators in place in case of a power failure All of our freezers have alarmed temperature controls with 24 hour procedures in place in case an alarm is triggered We test all mothers for Hepatitis before storing their cord blood We store samples contaminated with Hepatitis separately to all our other samples to minimise crosscontamination All of our staff undergo regular microbiology testing after working with blood samples As a licensed member of the Human Tissue Authority we are required to have a backup site in case of closure or natural disaster so no matter what happens, you are covered. We use the same procedures as the Anthony Nolan Trust, The NHS and the majority of private banks around the world 11/
12/ Storing your baby s stem cells
How it works: Today 1/ Enter your details on our website or call us on 020 7096 0747 where our advisors will explain the facts & benefits of cord banking and offer you preservation options 2/ Secure your storage with a down-payment and return the signed agreements sent out to you 3/ Upon receipt of signed agreements your collection kit will be despatched to you. Keep it safe until the day of delivery when you will need to take it to the hospital On the day of delivery 1/ Call your arranged phlebotomist once when your labour is commencing, and once again in your last stages of dilation 2/ The phlebotomist will collect the samples from the umbilical cord after it is clamped. They will sign and seal the collection kit and hand it back to you 3/ Call us to request collection as soon as it s convenient. Research shows that this should be within 72 hours of birth to preserve the stem cells What happens next? 1/ Once we receive your cord blood and tissue we process and prepare them for cryogenic freezing 2/ After processing, we will write to you to confirm the cell count results 3/ Upon successful storage you ll be sent a certificate and the samples will be stored for 25 years 4/ Stored stem cells will be available for worldwide transportation to a suitable facility upon request 13/
14/ Our Prices
The Stemology service is all-inclusive with no hidden costs Whats included: Umbilical Cord Blood & Tissue Collection Kit Specialist Stem Cell Phlebotomist Dedicated Courier Service Tests: - Maternal Blood Tests (PCR) - CD34+ Cell Count - Sterility Tests - Viability Tests - Full Cell Count - Full Breakdown Test Report Blood & Tissue Stem Cell Processing & Cryopreservation 25 Year Cryostorage Cord Blood 1955 all inc. Cord Blood & Tissue 2450 all inc. Choosing your Service or for Further Information Call us on 020 7096 0747 or reach our team at info@stemology.co.uk Just a 395 deposit to confirm either service. Balance payable at the tiime of collection or payment plans available Please call our customer services line for further information 020 7096 0747 One-to-One Dedicated Co-ordination from our Mother & Baby Care team Stem Cell Storage Certificate 24/7 Access to Stem Cells for Treatment & Dedicated Support 15/
Commonly asked questions Q: A: How long have we been operating? Stemology was founded in 2000 and has been collecting and preserving stem cells ever since. Q: A: Can I follow my birthing plan? Yes, stem cells can be collected from home births, water births, Caesarean section or natural birthing plans. You can also request delayed cord clamping if you prefer. At the end of your contract you will be given the option of extending your storage term. Q: A: Who owns the stem cells? The stem cells are your property, we are simply preserving them on your behalf. Q: A: Q: A: Q: Why do we only store for 25 years? Stemology offers a protection plan that enables you to pay up front to preserve your cord blood and tissue for 25 years. There is currently no evidence to suggest that the health of your stem cells will deteriorate after 25 years and experts believe that your baby s stem cells will be viable indefinitely. How can the cells be used in the future? A stem cell transplant is the infusion of healthy stem cells into your body. Stem cell transplants can help your body make enough healthy white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets. They can treat life-threatening infections and diseases such as leukaemia, anaemia and sickle cell disease. Stem cell transplants are used to treat people whose own cells have been damaged by disease or through aggresive treatments such as chemotherapy. Do I have to pay to use the sample later or for transportation? No additional costs will be incurred for the transportation of the sample at any time for therapeutic use. Q: A: Who collects the samples? The collection must be performed by a trained and licensed healthcare professional. This could be a private obstetrician, midwife or a phlebotomist. What s most important is that they must have a 3rd party license with us to be able to collect any sample which we will process or store. Some hospitals have clinicians which work with us and so they can perform the collection but otherwise your Stemology team will arrange for a fully trained and qualified medical professional to carry out the collection at your birth. For general enquiries, to order your stem cell collection kit, or for any other enquiries please contact us: A: Telephone 020 7096 0747 Email info@stemology.co.uk Online www.stemology.co.uk 16/
020 7096 0747 35 Ballards Lane London, N3 1XW info@stemology.co.uk stemology.co.uk