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) Did you even know that your Umbilical Cord Blood could have been
It is also thought that in the future it could be used in a range of diseases including Parkinsons and Alzheimers. The potential of cord blood was first discovered in the 1970's, when it was seen that the blood was a rich source of stem cells, which have the capacity for self renewal. Since then the popularity of harvesting and storing these cells has increased, particularly in America, where it is commonplace.
Despite important research, it has only been in the past few years that cord blood has been collected in the UK. The NHS has just 5 hospitals in North London and surrounding areas which will collect the blood for the NHS Cord Blood Bank. For those living outside these areas, it is only possible to have the blood taken privately. An article in the Times has shown that many NHS hospitals do not support the taking of blood by a private firm following birth, forcing parents to give birth in a private hospital. More>> - (
) Series to focus on Alzheimer's
The Alzheimer's Association's Central and Western Virginia Chapter is bringing a four-part HBO miniseries about the disease to the area.Cindy Bondurant, program outreach director, says their calls went up after "The Alzheimer's Project" aired on the pay-cable network in May.
They want to host the local screenings to raise public awareness, especially about the importance of early diagnosis, and to show people that there is "hope on the horizon," she says.
"We're seeing a trend now (that) people aren't just sitting on the sofa after being diagnosed. They're keeping up with their daily lives."
Each film explores a different facet of the disease: —"The Memory Loss Tapes," is a 90-minute documentary from the point of view of a person with Alzheimer's; —"Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? With Maria Shriver" is geared toward children and young teens coping with a grandparent's illness; —"Momentum in Science, Parts 1 & 2," detail the explosion of knowledge in the scientific and medical communities; and —"Caregivers" is a collection of five family portraits that illustrate caring for those in the disease's different stages. More>>
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) UT Southwestern forum to focus on genetic causes of Alzheimer's
In 1992, Dr. Roses discovered a gene responsible for about half of inherited Alzheimer's cases and recently found that another gene interacts with it to further increase a person's risk. In concert, these genes may account for most of the inherited form of the disease's genetic effect.The 7 p.m. forum, presented by The Friends of the Alzheimer's Disease Center at UT Southwestern, will be held in the Simmons/Hamon Biomedical Research Buildings on the North Campus. Complimentary valet parking is available, but because seating is limited, attendance should be confirmed by calling the medical center's Office of Development at 214-648-2344.
"Dr. Roses is truly a great physician-scientist and one of the most important Alzheimer's disease researchers in the world today," said Dr. More>>
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) Seminar provides tools for families coping with dementia
The free seminar will provide an introduction to Alzheimer's, and explain how the disease progresses.“Understanding what is happening in the brain is the foundation needed to cope with dementia," says Christin Hillary, the society's Greater Victoria support and education coordinator.
“Caregivers say that stress is reduced when they understand the disease process and the resulting symptoms."
The seminar runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at James Bay Community Project, 547 Michigan St.
Limited free parking is available. Pay parking is available on the street for either 60 or 90 minutes, and at Menzies and Michigan streets.
The seminar is partially funded by Shoppers Drug Mart, Pfizer Canada Inc., RBC Foundation, Provincial Employees Community Service Fund, Manulife Financial, Hamber Foundation, Novartis Pharma Canada Inc., and Janssen Ortho Inc. More>>
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) Don't forget about them - PICTURES
"It's part of who we are, and the importance of memory is one of the many debilitating aspects of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia."The Memory Walk is part of a national fundraising campaign, which also raises awareness of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia."It's a progressive degenerative illness of which Alzheimer's is the most common," explained Judith Gregory. "It leads to a progressive loss of function and reasoning over time, so you become more dependent on others."Support to families is crucial, at a time when some family members have to give up work to care for their relatives.Since 2002, the UK Memory Walks have raised more than £1,200,000 for people living with dementia. This year, there are over 300 walks taking place across the UK, with over 18,000 walkers aiming for a national target of £650.000.This year's walk in Sheffield was the biggest ever, with 130 participants, and organisers were aiming to raise well over last year's total of £3,500 for local projects, especially advice and support services for families and individuals living with dementia.The Sheffield branch of the Alzheimer's Society also has special services for younger people with dementia and their families – Judith's husband, Noel, was diagnosed at the age of 37 and Judith has been involved in the society for the last 10 years as a result."It's very hard for families," said Judith. More>>