The new age bank account

I recently attended the above 5th Parenthood expo 2009 held at MidValley Exhibition Centre from 21st to 23rd August. I read it in the newspapers that it is the city's premier event dedicated to pregnancy, birth, babies, toddlers and parents; showcasing many products and services for young growing families. The event spans over 2 large exhibition halls and the major exhibitors include slimming and beauty services, maternity & babies clothing, cord blood banks, nutrition for pregnant mothers, babies and children, toy retailers and financial/insurance instituitions.

The event attracted many pregnant ladies and young parents who were anticipating good bargains for goods and services. I am no different from the general public in terms of bargains hunting and seeking. Look at the photographs below to see what I bought for myself and my upcoming baby.

Look at photograph no 2, many of you babes out there may not know or recognise what the purpose/usage of the red box is for. It is a cord blood collection kit from the cord blood bank called StemLife Berhad. Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth and after the cord is cut. Cord blood is an abundant and valuable source of stem cells which are genetically unique to the baby and his/her family. Thousands of families nationwide and worldwide are now cryogenically banking their newborn's cord blood with private stem cell banks; these families will be able to benefit from the preservation of these precious little stem cells for future use in the fast developing applications of stem cell technology.

Okay, so what is the big deal about stem cells? Do you know what stem cells are? I am no expert on the topic but I did do my due diligence and responsibility as a mother of 1 child and soon to be mummy of 2 children to google and research more about stem cells, its applications, current and future technology. Very simply put, stem cells are the body's "master" or "mother" cells because they create all other tissues, organs and systems in your body. The stem cells found in the cord blood are like "building blocks" of our blood and immune system; these cells can readily reproduce into the 3 components of blood - red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. These stem cells are like little miracles because of its ability to differentiate or change into other types of cells in the body.

So, am I boring all of you with the above stem cell talk? Are you babes falling asleep yet? You all may be wondering why I am being so scientific and medical in this blog entry.....wait wait wait....please give me a chance to redeem myself before you babes get bored with these technical jargon. Like I mentioned above, I googled and researched on the topic of stem cells (also usually done at late night hours just like my internet shopping, hahaha) extensively. Frankly, I didn't understand or could not decipher most of the medical/technical information the internet offered on stem cells but late night readings sparked quite a few wild thoughts about these precious little stem cells. Here are some of my thoughts:

1) If stem cells have the ability to differentiate, can they differentiate specifically into collagen producing cells which means that cosmetic surgeons will then be able to use these collagen producing cells for plastic surgery? Anti aging measures with the aid of stem cells?

2) If stem cells are like "building blocks", can they help with "building" or growing new hair follicles which means that balding people may have a hope to revive their already sunset crowning glory?

3) If stem cells are like little miracles and can be used to regenerate ailing/failing blood and immune systems, is it possible to make stem cells derived drugs just like Cialis and Viagra to aid men with erectile dysfunction or impotency?

Without any doubt, maintaining our fountain of youth is a major area of interest for millions and millions of women and men too. Try googling stem cells for anti aging, stem cells for cosmetic procedures, stem cells cosmetic products, you will get many many interesting web pages. I devoured information and read voraciously on these topics on the internet for almost a week. I was so excited that I forgot to eat, sleep and bathe (ok, sorry abit exagerrating here but you babes get the idea right?). I am now so energised, inspired and pumped up that I must share all this information with you babes out there.

Did you know that there are already many stem cells facial/cosmetics products in the market? In an era where preventative and corrective anti-ageing routines are as much a part of the daily routine as tooth brushing, it is a competitive market in which to delve into, however, Christian Dior have done just that. Raising the stakes in the skin care market, Dior has launched its Capture R60/80 XP range, based on innovative and ground-breaking stem cell technology. I'm sure you must have seen Sharon Stone (actress from the famous movie "Basic Instinct") front the campaign for this Capture range. Besides Dior there is another product which uses stem cell technology for anti wrinkle and anti aging purposes called Amatokin. Restore the fountain of youth that is naturally in your own skin with Amatokin, the revolutionary anti-aging, anti-wrinkle skin therapy cream. Through cutting-edge stem cell technology, Amatokin gives your skin the incredible power to rejuvenate and restore its youthful look.

The Dior Capture range and Amatokin are both available for purchase in Malaysia. However, I found another stem cell product which is only available in the USA - StemCellin. StemCellin promises to delay deterioration of essential skin cells, activates our own skin stem cells and reverses chronological aging. It is a 100% plant based stem cell product. This product even gives a 60 day money back guarantee to customers who purchase the product and there is no visible positive effects on the skin after use.


Last but not least, just some information for all anti aging enthusiasts out there, LVMH - one of the world's most influential and important luxury goods power house is investing more than 29 million Euros to establish a new research centre in Orleans, France by 2010. Particularly, there will be a big research arm just to explore the vast possibilities and usage of stem cells technology for the science of the skin. This just simply spells good news for all of us who are afraid of becoming a shrivelled up prune.

I shared all the above information I had gathered from the internet with my hubby dearest. He looked at me endearingly and asked me a question which took me by surprise, "Does it mean that we may be able to use our baby's cord blood stem cells for our wrinkled face in the future?" Hmmmm.....very tough question for me to answer.....potentially life saving stem cells used for my vanity purposes? Would I, should I, could I........? What do you think? Till next time babes!