December 24, 2005 Rod Stewart Saves Stem Cells to Play Soccer Again Singer Rod Stewart has donated his three-week-old son, Alastair’s, stem cells to science, although his motivation for doing so may be a little different from most parents. Stewart hopes that someday stem cell technology will be advanced enough to replace the cartilage in his knee, allowing him to play soccer again. In an interview, Stewart jokingly said: "I was rather hoping that they could put it [Alastair’s umbilical cord blood] into my knee to grow a new cartilage so I can continue playing football." ContactMusic.com; FemaleFirst.co.uk December 21, 2005 Bush Signs Stem Cell Bill into Law President Bush has now made it possible for the US to create a national data bank for umbilical cord blood. The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 officially became law this past week when Bush ratified the bill. A national registry of cord blood will make it easier and quicker for those needing a stem cell transplant to locate the necessary blood anywhere in the country. WLNS.com December 11, 2005 First Maltese Parents to Store Newborn’s Stem Cells Sylvana and Travis Brannon have become the first couple in Malta to bank their children’s umbilical cord blood stem cells. Sylvana gave birth in a hospital to the couples second child on December 7. Shortly after the birth, Travis collected his child’s cord blood stem cells himself while mom and baby got to know each other. The couple also collected the stem cells from their first child’s umbilical cord, although a midwife performed the procedure that first time. "The difference, this time, is that my husband did the extraction of the blood, because the procedure is so straightforward and does not interfere with the birth at all," explained Sylvana. She went on to say "My husband feels that performing this procedure is a more significant birth ritual than the traditional one of cutting the umbilical cord." Although it was not said just where the couple had decided to bank their children’s cord blood stem cells, British Smart Cells International has established offices in Malta and provides collection kits along with storage facilities to parents. Jame Debono, MaltaToday.com.mt December 2007 October 2007 Spetember 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September, 2005 August, 2005 July, 2005 May, 2005 April, 2005 March, 2005 February, 2005 December, 2004 November, 2004 October, 2004 September, 2004