Finding Forrest: 12 April 2009

Economy and Community

Our country is discussing these issues a lot right now. People fear we are abandoning capitalism and moving toward socialism. There's more talk then ever about redistributing the wealth, and concerns about Christianity in the U.S. is on the decline.

I don't agree with everything Shane Claiborne says, but that's why I like him - he gives me a challenge. Claiborne says the following in his book, The Irresistible Revolution.

"So it's important to understand that redistribution comes from community, not before community. Redistribution is not a prescription for community. Redistribution is a description of what happens when people fall in love with each other across class lines."

Banking Cord Blood & Stem Cell Research

What is Cord Blood Banking?
When a child is born, the umbiblical cord contains immature stem cells that match the child and is not rejected by the mother's body. Harvesting the cord blood and stem cells from the cord, allows people to store the cells in the event they are needed years later for treatment in various diseases.

It is gaining a lot of popularity and it is not controversial research unlike embryonic stem cell research. The only time you can harvest this type of stem cell, is during the birth of a child.

Why is banking cord blood important to me?
In 2004, my mom passed away from leukemia. She developed the leukemia as a result of many years of chemotherapy treatments for a disease called amyoloidosis. The chemotherapy was suppose to be temporary until a match for a stem cell donor was found.

After years of searching and waiting, a match was found, but in order to proceed with the transplant, doctors wanted to treat the leukemic blasts in her body before moving forward with stem cell transplant. During that treatment, she developed an infection and never recovered.

Obviously, if she had access to healthy stem cells from her own body, she would not have had to wait for a donor.

What does this mean for you and me?
Obviously, technology has come a long way and it will continue to go even further when it comes to finding cures for major diseases through stem cell research. Since the only time you can harvest these type of stem cells is at birth, why not look at it as an insurance policy you hope you never have to use? Some people may consider it too expensive to store your child's cord blood, but if your child ever needs a transplant, do you want to risk not finding a matching donor when it's in your power today to ensure a match?

As a result of my family medical history, we have chosen to store the cord blood with a private company. No, I don't like the cost but I am not going to sit around and wait on the government or insurance companies to make it more affordable. I do hope something changes in the future.

However, if you don't have any kind of family medical history to persuade you toward privatized banking then you can and SHOULD donate your cord blood. It will cost you NOTHING and until this topic gets more attention most physicians don't mention it during pregnancy. Who knows what life you may save?

I hope you will take time to learn more about cord blood banking if you are expecting a child or know someone who is.

To learn more about diseases that are being treated with cord blood, go to http://www.cordblood.com.
If you decide to bank with Cord Blood Registry (CBR) then feel free to use the code MSAFE to save $250.00.

Searching for Perfection

If you want to model something you are working on after perfection then you will spend most of your time in search of perfection and never begin work.

The model doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to work. Not everything that works is perfect, but it's easier to come by.

The point is to get started early and with each iteration, you eventually excel to perfection.

Easter Sunday Afterthoughts

Each year I find myself in a mental struggle during Easter Sunday and each year the struggle becomes a little more intense. I've not known the reason for my my frustrations on Easter in the recent years, but this year I may have begun to figure out some of the rub.

I heard on Sunday, that the Resurrection cannot and should not be separated from the Crucifixion (and visa versa). If we are to be raised with Christ, then we too must carry our cross before we can be raised.

I wonder if I have really, truly, faced my cross. It's difficult to look ahead to a resurrection Sunday, when you're uncertain of having already endured a suffering on the Friday before. Sunday should give hope to Friday, but it doesn't dull the pain that comes with bearing a cross.