What The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 Means to Expecting Moms
 San Bruno, CA, Dec. 21 PRNewswire/--"We have known for years that transplants with cord blood from a relative result in survival rates that are two times greater than transplants using cord blood from an unrelated donor," explained Tom Moore. "This new legislation will help ensure that all expectant parents learn about the value of cord blood stem cells, family banking, as well as the societal benefit of public donation."
When the President signed HR 2520, The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 into law, the country made a commitment to establish a permanent resource for stem cell therapy for patients without access to a genetically related stem cell sample. Thomas Moore, CEO of Cord Blood Registry, the world's largest family newborn stem cell bank, was among the few selected guests who attended the recent bill signing ceremony in the West Wing of the White House.
 "Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and other bill sponsors in the House and Senate worked hard to ensure passage of this important legislation by the close of 2005," said Moore. "It's the first step toward a commitment to ensure that every expectant parent is fully informed about their newborn cord blood options: to privately (family) bank, store for a relative with a medical need, or donate to a public bank. Otherwise, their newborn's stem cells will simply be discarded at the hospital."
By citing the recommendation of last year's Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, the legislation, once enacted, will ensure that all pregnant women are provided a "balanced perspective and clear information" about public donation, family banking, or disposal of their newborns' cord blood.
The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 also recognizes the medical value of related stem cells in another way. A component of the legislation allocates 5% of the program's funding to a "demonstration program" for directed donation of cord blood for the benefit of a relative with a medical need. "The establishment of a directed donation program validates the superior medical outcomes with related newborn stem cells," said Moore. "CBR recognized the need for this type of a public service and was the first cord blood bank to start a directed donation program in 1996." Through its Designated Transplant Program,(SM) CBR has helped more than 1000 families, with a medical need by storing their newborn's cord blood for them at no cost.
About CBR
CBR is the world's largest family newborn stem cell bank. CBR's laboratory has been collecting and processing newborn stem cells for family banking since 1992. The company has recorded profits from its operating activities since 1999. Over 400,000 units of newborn stem cells, for more than 115,000 client families, are preserved at CBR's new 80,000-square-foot facility in Tucson, Arizona. The company's research and development is focused on advancing the collection, processing, and storage methods to optimize quality and cell yield. Additionally, CBR facilitates collection of donated research samples, which are made available for the nearly 200 research programs worldwide that are focused on stem cell expansion and cell-based therapies. For more information, visit www.cordblood.com, or call 1-888-CORD BLOOD. Cord Blood Registry is a registered trademark of Cbr Systems, Inc.
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