Umbilical Cord Blood Banks In Canada
Because stem cell therapy has become so popular and so successful recently, there are now several cord blood banks in Canada . These are the places wherein mothers store their babies' stem-cell-rich cord blood. This blood can be used later on by the donors themselves or by someone else, and usually with astounding results. Here are some of the umbilical cord blood banks in Canada , arranged in no particular order.
The Cord Blood Bank of Canada
This Canadian cord blood bank was the first to open and it has been at the forefront of Canadian cord blood storage and retrieval since then. Its facilities are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and every day of the year either by human or automated means. This means that in the event of an emergency, cord blood can be immediately available to the patients who need it without delay.
Each cryovial of umbilical cord blood is individually stored and hermetically sealed. Each grouping of three cryovials goes into one cryosheath. This cryosheath is then resealed to protect the donor blood and stem cells from cross-contamination. The cryovials containing the donor blood are made of polypropylene which is completely shatterproof and will not distort when exposed to extremely low temperature. Before the donor blood is accepted for storage, both mother and baby are tested for possible infectious diseases such as syphilis, hepatitis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Afterwards, each vial is immersed in liquid nitrogen and cryostasis sets in. The sudden changes in temperature are computer-controlled to ensure the life of cryostatic cells. Interested parties may call The Cord Blood Bank of Canada at (905) 943-4933.
The Toronto Cord Blood Programme
Operating in Mount Sinai Hospital , this Canadian cord blood bank provides reliable storage of cord blood and stem cells. Cord blood is used in the treatment of leukemia, neuroblastoma, acute lymphatic cancer, and other diseases.
As one of the leading research centers for health care in Canada , it is only fitting that Mount Sinai Hospital should play host to the Toronto Cord Blood Programme. This hospital also houses The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute. The institute has over 200 trainees and some of the best principal medical investigators in the country, all of which have advanced degrees in the life sciences.
The Gynecology and Obstetrics Program of Mount Sinai Hospital has also drawn praise and distinction. This department is affiliated with The Toronto Cord Blood Programme. One of the department's distinguished members is Dr. Barbara E. Cruikshank. She received her MD from the University of Western Ontario , and has worked closely with both The Rockefeller Foundation and Toronto General Hospital . She is also involved with The Toronto Cord Blood Programme because stem cell research and cord blood banking development are some of her primary research interests. You can call the Toronto Cord Blood Programme (780) 492-2673 for more details on its services.
The Alberta Cord Blood Bank
This blood bank requires parents to surrender all rights to their child's cord blood and accepts cord blood donations only. All cord blood donations are intended for the use of the general public in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. For more information, you can call (416) 586-8818.