10 reasons why you should store your family’s stem cells

Stem cell collection and storage may not seem like a family essential in the same way as home or travel insurance, but in fact is it a form of insurance policy which could protect your entire family for decades to come.

As stem cell research continues to flourish, the collection and cryopreservation of yours and your family’s stem cells for future use could have a huge number of benefits – and here are ten to get you thinking.

A life saver – literally

First and foremost – stem cells are special types of cell which hold the key to many life-saving and advanced medical treatments, including for blood and immune diseases such as leukaemia, treating severe burns, sight-saving eye regeneration treatments and many others – with medical science continually advancing to include new therapies.

Peace of mind

Like ‘traditional’ insurance policies – stem cell storage offers you peace of mind, knowing you have taken steps to allow your family members all possible medical options in future.

Giving your family a choice

One form of stem cell collection is by taking cells from the umbilical cord at birth. A safe and painless procedure, it ensures that – should your child develop a disease where stem cell therapies are an option in future – you have given medical professionals an extra choice when it comes to treatment.

Your own health

Stem cell storage isn’t just a choice which protects the younger members of your family. By banking your own stem cells – using stem cells from healthy adult teeth – you also have the chance to preserve something which could help to keep all members of your family healthy…

Sharing is caring

…as well as your close family members. Should a family member ever require a stem cell transplant, doctors will first look to close genetic matches (i.e. you!) for donations, meaning that your choice to store your stem cells could be the gift of life for someone else.

Avoid the donor list

While amazing and life-saving work is done by stem cell donors, having healthy stem cells safely and securely stored can avoid the need to search for a donor should one be needed – and save precious time.

Join a growing revolution

More and more families are choosing to protect themselves by banking stem cells – with over 75,000 families using StemProtect.co.uk already.

It’s affordable

Despite being at the cutting edge of science, stem cell storage is affordable, with interest-free prices available – meaning that finances need not hold you back.

Future proof your family

Medical science is moving at an ever-increasing rate. While stem cell therapies are already available for a wide range of conditions, research continues to advance to include new treatments all the time – meaning that the choice to bank your stem cells now could open many more doors in future.

No risk – find out more

Best of all, you can get a free consultation from StemProtect.co.uk – so there’s no risk before you find out exactly how stem cell storage could be the best choice you make for your family.

VIEW OUR STEM CELL BANKING PACKAGES

Learn more about –

Can stem cells prevent Acute leukaemia?

Can stem cells prevent Anaemia?

Can stem cells prevent Myelodysplastic syndromes

Can stem cells prevent Chronic leukaemia?

Stem cell research offers hope for those with ‘untreatable’ STDs

Stem cell research has advanced significant research which could offer hope to people suffering from previously incurable sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes.

The UK’s Stem Cell bank StemProtect.co.uk, has analysed the latest in clinical trials of stem cell treatments and seen real positive steps towards helping those with difficult to treat STDs.

Some sexually transmitted diseases, like herpes, have no cure. While treatment is available to sufferers to alleviate the symptoms of the disease, it is often a cause of distress and shame to those who live with a long-term, incurable disease. Herpes is the third most common STD and 10% of the population are thought to carry HSV type 2, the form of the virus which can cause sores on the genitals[1] – although there are more dangerous long-term risks associated with the virus, such as encephalitis and pregnancy complications.

However, StemProtect.co.uk has noted that in recent years, scientists have turned to more radical techniques to help tackle such diseases, with early attempts to use stem cell technology to treat STDs. Studies into the efficacy of gene editing, which works alongside stem cell research, has been shown promising results in tackling a variety of sexually transmitted diseases, from chlamydia to HIV.

While stem cell researchers have been looking closely at therapies to treat HIV since the 1980s, research has recently begun to make leaps and bounds in this area. In recent years, two men being treated for cancer at a hospital in Boston were found to have no traces of HIV in their bodies following stem cell therapy[2] – opening the door to further research and ultimately, clinical trials.

While a quick fix for these life-changing diseases isn’t yet available, it remains hugely encouraging that STDs are amongst the illnesses which respond to stem cell therapy, giving a beacon of hope for those who are looking for cures. However, stem cell therapy relies heavily on the ability to safely store and retrieve stem cells – which is where StemProtect.co.uk’s expertise is invaluable.

Mark Hall, spokesperson for StemProtect.co.uk, commented:

“It really is incredible to see the breadth of research focusing on using stem cells for life-changing treatments, and it is heartening to see that there is hope for those with previously incurable sexually transmitted diseases.

“Of course, we also advocate for better sex education, both at schools and in the wider public, to help curb the spread of STDs. There are a generation of people who remember the fear surrounding the AIDS epidemic in the Eighties and had these messages drilled into them, but there are plenty of younger people who don’t have the same cultural reference point. We need to ensure that – while stem cell research is promising and an exciting leap for medicine – young people are given the education to make informed decisions about safer sex.”

Stem cell clone storage

If you bank stem cells now they could  be of use in cutting-edge cloning technologies which could dramatically improve lives.

However this is not in existence and is maybe 50 years away!

Recent breakthroughs in genetic science saw scientists develop a process known as ‘therapeutic cloning’ – using a person’s own cells to create stem cells, which could be used for a number of applications including growing tissues and organs to repair damage to the body.

The opportunity will one day arise to store these stem cells to ensure these breakthroughs are available should the person fall ill or require stem cell treatment in future. Therapeutic cloning reduces the risk of rejection when using stem cells in a patient, as the associated problems with using cells with different DNA are eliminated – meaning that, while stem cell cloning is a new and growing field, the future possibilities could be endless.

Medical applications, such as organ cloning, could offer relief to people with organ failure or other life-limiting conditions. Future advances in stem cell cloning, which has shown promise in a wide variety of applications, could even see the possibility of lab-growing limbs.

While the potential medical use of lab-grown limbs is evident, there are also cosmetic uses which could become incredibly popular as the ‘Instagram generation’ continues to strive for physical perfection. When surveyed by StemProtect.,co.uk, a number of young people came up with an unsurprising list of physical attributes they would love to have cloned for them.

Sophie, 27, from Blackburn, said, “Who wouldn’t clone themselves some Kardashian-style body parts? If I could use science to look perfect, I wouldn’t need bum implants – I could make my own designer body!”, while several men interviewed admitted they would use cloning technologies to give themselves the feet of a footballing star.

Limb cloning could have a more dramatic impact than just the perfect selfie, however. John, 46, commented: “My eldest son’s a keen rugby player but unfortunately, due to injury, he had to drop out of trials and his career ended before it had even started. If I could clone him a new leg, I would.”

Mark Hall, spokesperson for StemProtect.co.uk, commented:

“The science behind stem cell cloning continues to come on in leaps and bounds – and for many people, the possibility of having a securely stored back-up of their own stem cells would be a welcome idea.

“Of course, there are dozens of reasons why someone might want to look into cloning technologies in the future. It is certainly possible that, as science progresses, we see a greater number of people utilising new methods of attaining physical perfection – like an addition to their beauty routine, but at the cutting edge of technological advances!

“Ultimately, stem cell banking is about peace of mind – whether cloning technology could help a sick child, create an organ transplant instead of waiting on a list, or to achieve your physical goals, it will only be possible with safe, reliable and affordable stem cell storage, and that is what StemProtect.co.uk are providing.”

Mind your manners! Over half of pre-school children cant use a knife and fork

Mind your manners! Over half of pre-school children cant use a knife and fork

Over half (54%) of the UK’s 2-5 year olds don’t regularly use knives and forks when eating at home – with 46% of parents not even providing utensils as an option.

The surprising statistic comes from a survey undertaken by StemProtect.co.uk, the UKs stem cell bank. The survey covered parents of 3,000 children between two and four years old across the UK and highlighted regional disparities – with York and Bristol coming out top for cutlery use, while Bradford came bottom in the UK.

While many parents will be able to sympathise with the struggle of getting their toddlers to eat their food rather than decorate with it, the survey revealed differing attitudes towards encouraging little ones to use cutlery.

The survey conducted by StemProtect.co.uk who spoke to 3000 parents through out the UK

When asked does your child (aged 2-5) use a knife and fork to eat

Yes – 46%
No – 54%

Top areas that children used knife and fork reside in
York – 62%
Bristol – 54%
Plymouth – 48%

Bottom areas for children who didn’t use a knife and fork
Bradford – 23%
Birmingham – 27%
Leicester – 30%

Some parents, such as Malcolm, 37 from London, were determined to instill good table manners into their children – despite the usual messy drawbacks of mealtimes with youngsters. Malcolm said:

“I’m normally at work when the kids eat, but we do all have breakfast together, which includes the occasional boiled egg. At the weekends we all eat together though – and although it’s normally its cold by the time they have finished and half of it’s on the floor, they do have to use a knife and fork to eat their meals!”

Others found that looking up to older siblings encouraged reluctant cutlery users, with Anna, 34, saying “It helps that our four year old uses a fork as the two year old loves to copy – although I’m not giving her a knife just yet!”.

However, some parents were less rigorous when it comes to mealtime etiquette – and fussy eaters were revealed as a problem. Mercedes, 23, from Bradford, admitted that her child only opted for food which didn’t require cutlery, such as toast or crisps, adding: “I’ve tried giving him chicken nuggets, but he’s just not interested.”

However, StemProtect.co.uk warned that not teaching your children to use cutlery correctly would be a hindrance once they reached school age.

Anna Edwards, spokesperson for StemProtect.co.uk, added:
“It’s important that children learn life skills early on. Schools expect that a child without any additional difficulties would be able to use a knife and fork by the time they start Reception and parents cannot expect teachers to be cutting up their children’s food for them.”

The NHS offers plenty of free advice for parents looking to help teach their children this important life skill, such as ensuring the table is at the right height and clear from clutter or distractions like the TV to encourage concentration.

The guidance also notes that while progress can be slow – and, as respondents to the StemProtect.co.uk survey agreed, messy – “it is important for them to learn the sequence and movements required for feeding”. The fine motor skills gained by putting these movements into practice also help your children’s brains develop as they grow.

Anna Edwards concluded:

“It might seem quicker and easier to help mealtimes along by assisting your child in eating – but this is a skill that they need to learn for themselves. By cutting up food for your child, you’re not giving them the chance to practice and many children will abandon their cutlery altogether in response, reverting back to using their fingers.”

“Independence at school lunchtimes is just one of many reasons why this is important for children. By encouraging them to be present and engaged at mealtimes, you will help foster healthier attitudes to food, mindfulness about what they are eating – which can lead to healthier food choices – and, of course, give them impeccable table manners for life!”

Newborn stem cell collection kits: safeguarding your newborn’s future

Stem cells are truly amazing. They are incredibly flexible cells that can be utilised to cure a vast range of diseases and cancers. What most people don’t realise is that umbilical cord blood stem cells are younger and more versatile than adult stem cells, meaning that they are potentially life-changing for you and your family.

New uses for stem cells

The unique quality of newborn stem cells is expansive. They reduce complications when it comes to organ transplants and cure various blood cancers, just to name a few uses. Research by the NHS [https://www.nhs.uk/news/genetics-and-stem-cells/stem-cells-tested-on-muscle-ageing/] has also found that stem cells are regenerative and can help combat disease that causes muscle wastage. New uses for the stem cells are being discovered every day, so who knows what stem cells will be capable of curing when your child is fully grown?

The birth of your child is one of the best days of your life and a stem cell collection kit is likely the last thing on your extensive birth plan. However, it is really something you should consider for the benefit of your family in the long run. When you invest in our newborn stem cell collection kit, we guarantee that stem cell collection will be seamless and not interfere with the labour process.

Our newborn stem cell collection kits

The core blood collection kit is non-invasive and completely ethical. Cord blood is usually considered a waste product that is discarded after labour; so why not use our cord blood collection kit to put the stem cells in the cord to a more positive use in regards to the future health of your child?

Our newborn stem cell collection kit is the easiest and most reliable way to transport these life-saving stem cells. The kit is specifically designed to be as durable as possible so that your baby’s sample is protected on its journey to our laboratory. There’s a monitoring probe within the kit to ensure that your sample has remained at the optimum temperature during its transition.

The newborn stem cell collection kit allows you to invest in the health of your child from the second they are born. They are free as part of your package and can be delivered to hospitals, private midwives, phlebotomists, or even to your home. Don’t hesitate, call today for more information about how the stem cells in your newborn’s umbilical cord can make a significant positive impact on your family’s future.

Stem Cells Can Give Us Bigger Penises, Breasts or Bottoms

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT OFFER THIS SERVICE

The UK’s stem cell bank say cosmetic surgery could be dramatically improved with the use of stem cells.

Experts say that penis enlargement, along with a host of other cosmetic surgical procedures, can be significantly aided by using tissue grown from stem cells, which is the same as the body’s own natural material.

This new age of ‘plastic’ surgery will, say the UK’s stem cell bank StemProtect.co.uk, use no synthetic or harmful materials at all, and will instead be done using exclusively cells grown from the cells people can store in stem cell banks.

A combination of fat collected via liposuction, and healthy stem cells from a patient’s own body, can provide a new form of penis, breast and bottom augmentation that far surpasses any kind of enhancement surgery available before.

The benefits for patients are many. As it’s taken from the patients themselves, the body is far less likely to reject the material used for the enhancements. This makes surgery a much less risky procedure for patients, and could improve recovery times as well as making the results look much more natural than alternatives.

And in addition, the augmented parts will age better than synthetic materials and are less likely to need correcting at any point in the future.

In previous years, some patients who have undergone breast augmentation have hit the headlines when their implants have leaked or even exploded, causing health problems as well as a great deal of distress.

A spokesperson for StemProtect.co.uk said: “We’re entering a new age of cosmetic surgery, one which is striving to not only look more natural than ever before, but which is also seeking to use more and more natural materials and procedures to achieve the finished look.

“People are now very aware that natural is better, but at the same time they want to improve their appearance wherever they can. The result is something that stem cells can really help with, growing tissue from a person’s own cells so that it’s not rejected by the body.

“Nowhere is this more useful than in complicated and sensitive surgeries such as penis enlargement. Anything other than natural tissue is always a big risk, but with stem cells you can effectively just improve on nature using all the original materials.”

The same process can also be used to make breasts and bottoms bigger, both procedures that are increasingly becoming commonplace as people take advantage of the falling cost of cosmetic surgery.

In a survey carried out by StemProtect.co.uk, 95% of those surveyed said they would consider stem cell procedures over traditional plastic surgery if they were to choose one of the two in the future.

Sarah, 29, is currently considering a breast augmentation and is researching her options. She said: “I’m being really careful and not rushing into booking anything just yet. Your health is really important, so even though I do want the procedure I want it to be as safe as possible.

“The idea that I could use my own cells instead of adding anything else into my body is really appealing and I’m tempted to wait for that option before I actually get it done.”

Sarah and those like her may not have long to wait. With stem cells being hailed as the potential answer to health problems from ageing to hereditary disease, it’s no wonder they’re also now being explored as an alternative to cosmetic procedures too.

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT OFFER THIS SERVICE

Stem Cells Will Help Us Live To 200

We could live to an average of 200 years old, according to specialist stem cell experts.

Through the advanced technology of stem cell storage and renewal, our bodies can be repaired and restored no matter what health problems with might face, effectively reversing or stalling the ageing process.

Spokesperson for StemProtect.co.uk Mark Hall said: “In just the same way as we might replace a joint such as a hip with a specially made synthetic device, we can now replace cells in the body with new cells which are healthy and younger versions of the ones they’re replacing.

“That means we can replace diseased or ageing cells – and parts of the body – with entirely new ones which are completely natural and healthy.”

The potential for cosmetic and health related uses are countless, and could stall ill health and ageing to the point where we extend our lives by more than a century.

The work is already underway to determine just how stell cells can be deployed to keep us younger for longer .

At new trials in Miami, 15 elderly and frail patients were reported to have improved breathing and movement after just a single infusion of stem cells taken from younger and healthier donors. Further studies with a group of 30 people replicated this result, with the average age of the patients being 78 years old.

The studies are aimed to show that stem cell infusions are safe and beneficial as we age, and could pave the way for a future i which regular treatments from an even earlier age are the norm, prolonging our lives in a healthy and comfortable way.

Stem cell researcher Daisy Robinton, from Harvard University, has presented incredibly popular and mainstream TED talks about her work in stem cell research, including ‘Can We Engineer the End of Ageing?’. In it, she discusses genome editing in human stem cells to eliminate diseases, and the huge benefits this can have to an ageing population.

So what do people think of the idea of living to 200? It seems the public are warming to the idea of what stem cell banking can do for our lifespan.

Kerry, 25, from Sussex, said: “I never liked the idea of living for a long time if I’m going to spend years and years being old and knackered, but if I can be healthy and replace all my old cells with new ones then that changes things a lot. I’d be much more up for living to 200 under those circumstances.”

And James, 67, from London, agrees, saying: “I’ve had health problems in the past few years, all just down to age and bad habits over the years, so I can appreciate the difference that being totally health at my age would make. It’s mad to think people could live to more than three times my age but if they can do it in a way that they can avoid the health problems I’m having then good luck to them, who wouldn’t want that?”

It seems that our fear of getting older isn’t so much the number of candles on our birthday cake, but more the daunting nature of age-related health problems, infirmity and physical decline. If we’re able to take those things out of the picture through widespread use of stem cells, we may start saying that life begins at 140 and looking forward to coming of age at 100.

Parents deserve free baby scan photos but the NHS Won’t allow it.

…but hospitals insist parents have to pay up to £5 for a picture of their unborn

Parents-to-be should be given free baby scan photos of their unborn child, but hospitals are still charging them up to five pounds for a service which costs pennies.

And the UK’s stem cell storage company has found that the powers-that-be won’t change the rules to allow sponsorship of this “service” so parents don’t have to pay.

It’s an attitude, which has angered StemProtect.co.uk, which sees the charge as an insult to parents who may be saving every penny as they await their new-born.

“For many parents, the charge for a print-out of their baby scan might be no big deal,” says StemProtect.co.uk spokesperson Mark Hall, “But there are thousands of mums-to-be across Britain who simply can’t afford this kind of money.”

Gouging money from vulnerable people

StemProtect.co.uk’s Mark Hall says: “The scan is a look into the near future for new parents, and to charge them for this moment of hope is – well – a bit nasty, really.”

StemProtect.co.uk says that it only costs pennies to produce the print-out, so a five pound charge is virtually all profit for hospital trusts.

What kind of parent would turn down this important keepsake?

“It’s like over-priced car parking at hospitals up and down the country,” says Hall, “It’s just another way of gouging money from people when they’re at their most vulnerable.

“It’s a special kind of money-grabbing to offer an image of an unborn child, when there’s a chance mum could be going home empty-handed.”

Sponsorship offer

That’s why StemProtect.co.uk is trying to sponsor this service to allow all parents – no matter what their financial means – to have a scan photo of the child to keep forever.

“We’d like to give NHS trust hospitals in the United Kingdom money so that they don’t have to pressure parents into handing over their cash,” says Hall.

“It’s a no-strings sponsorship offer that means all parents-to-be get an image for their new baby, and we’d expect nothing in the way of service level agreements in return.”

Unfortunately, NHS mandarins have told StemProtect.co.uk that they’re unwilling to accept our money, and that means a continuation of the unwelcome practise of dragging money out of parents.”

StemProtect.co.uk says: “We know that NHS trusts are fighting for every penny from central government at the moment.

“But we’re making a straight offer which guarantees them cash straight into their pre- and neo-natal budgets, all without having to embarrass parents by begging for their money.”

Mark Hall says: “We appreciate that hospitals might be nervous about sponsorship deals in clinical areas, but we have no expectations of changing the way pre-natal departments work, and we would never dream of doing so.

“We only want to make things better for parents.”

Will Doctors Be Obsolete Within 10 Years?

Health experts have predicted that artificial intelligence will replace doctors within the next 10 years.

With the rise of apps and websites ready to diagnose illness and give treatment recommendations within seconds, StemProtect.co.uk the UKs stem cell bank, says that GPs will soon be a thing of the past, and instead we’ll turn to AI to give us all the information we need.

Among the apps already available for phones are those, which can provide information about the right dosage for specific prescription drugs, and diagnose health problems for you. There are even those that give you access to your medical records at any time, and allow you to request repeat prescriptions and have them delivered straight to your door.

Spokesperson Mark Hall for StemProtect.co.uk said: “The way technology is affecting our health is so huge that we could see doctors completely replaced within 10 years. “

“Companies like ours, which bank stem cells to treat an individual’s future health problems, are generally thought of as being the best examples of high tech health solutions. “

“But the truth is that every area of medicine is being affected by new technology, including something as mundane as simply visiting your GP. With the apps and websites that people have access to at the touch of a button, it’s simply a case of diagnosing a set of symptoms, finding out what the treatment will be, and then ordering and repeating the treatment whenever necessary.”

But how will the public feel about the move away from GPs? Sally, 45, from Nottingham, said: “I much prefer to see someone face to face. There are some things that technology is good for, and I’m more than happy for that to carry on, but I’ll personally always want to see a real person when I’m not feeling well. I know lots of older people will feel the same way too.”

Among younger generations, usually known as ‘digital natives’, the mood is very different. Carl, 23, said: “I’m too busy to go to a doctor and I don’t really see the point. Most things that are wrong with you can research online in no time. I really like the idea of using apps and artificial intelligence instead, as long as the information going in is good then I don’t see the difference between getting assessed by an app or getting assessed by a doctor, it’s all the same to me.”

While it might be the case that doctors could in theory be replaced by artificial intelligence very soon, it seems we’re not quite culturally ready for the switch just yet. So while medical apps continue to grow in popularity and usefulness, they’re still more of an addition to GPs rather than a replacement.

What are you thoughts? Would you see a robot Dr? Do you already face time your Dr instead of visiting?

Under-18s To Be Banned By Law From Social Media

Calls to ban under 18s from using social media without prior mental health training?

Child health care specialists have called for a ban on anyone under the age of 18 using social media without training.

The call from StemProtect.co.uk the UKs stem cell bank comes at a time when cyber bullying and mental health issues among teens and young children are at an all-time high. An estimated one in three teenage girls is reported as suffering from depression or anxiety, which is a rise of 10% on figures just 10 years ago.

StemProtect.co.uk have drawn the line between an increase in social media use among teens, and the rising number of mental health problems they face.

When it comes to body image issues, apps like Instagram can make the problems much worse, giving teenage girls unrealistic expectations of what their own bodies should look like as they compare them with the so-called ‘candid’ and ‘real’ images professional Instagram personalities and models share on their own Instagram feeds.

And with the increased number of ways teens can be reached online, bullying has taken a new and worrying form over the past decade, with cyber bullying meaning that even when children aren’t at school or around other people, they can still be targeted – often anonymously – online.

StemProtect.co.uk’s solution might seem like a radical one, but it could be the solution. They have called for a total ban on anyone under 18 using social media without first having training to help them cope with its downsides.

Spokesperson for StemProtect.co.uk Mark Hall said: “Clearly we need to do something to protect our children’s mental health”.

“Training and awareness of social media’s dangers help to address mental health issues”.

“We’re not calling for all under 18s to be banned from social media at all, that would be unrealistic and unhelpful. Instead what we’re suggesting is a mandatory procedure for under-18s to go through before they can access it, otherwise they would need to wait until they were 18 to use things like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat.”

The move is one of the most practical solutions that’s been suggested to deal with the problems social media can cause to teens’ mental health. On the one hand, this still gives them access to the sites they need to be able to work in digital fields, while also taking care to make them aware of what they can do to stay safe and happy.