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New Delhi: AHF India Cares Launches 'LOVE Condom' Campaign
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is launching its "LOVE Condom" campaign with an event today in the New Delhi region on the 18th of July, 2009. The campaign includes the distribution of free AHF "LOVE"-brand condoms, as well as a "Stay Negative" public service advertising campaign. Bollywood actor Ronit Roy will be the chief guest at today"s launch event. The event will be at Metropolitan Hotel Nikko, New Delhi. This campaign will be a new start of HIV AIDS education in India.

What Is A Virus? What Is A Viral Infection?
A virus (from the Latin virus meaning toxin or poison) is a microscopic organism consisting of genetic material (RNA or DNA) surrounded by a protein, lipid (fat), or glycoprotein coat. Viruses are unique organisms because they cannot reproduce without a host cell. After contacting a host cell, a virus will insert genetic material into the host and take over the host"s functions. The cell, now infected, continues to reproduce, but it reproduces more viral protein and genetic material instead of its usual products. It is this process that earns viruses the classification of "parasite".
News of the day
Work Status Changes More Common Among Women Receiving Chemotherapy For Breast Cancer, Study Says
Women with breast cancer who receive chemotherapy appear more likely than those treated with radiation therapy to experience a major change in work status, according to a study published in the journal Cancer, Reuters reports. For the study, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researcher Michael Hassett and colleagues used a large health insurance claims database to identify 3,233 women who were first diagnosed with breast cancer between 1998 and 2002. All of the women were younger than age 64, insured, and working full time or part time as of diagnosis. About 54% of the women received chemotherapy, and 58% received radiation therapy.Hassett said that most of the women did "not experience a significant change in their employment after cancer diagnosis and treatment." However, of the 6.6% who experienced such a change, those who received chemotherapy had a 1.8-fold greater risk of leaving work, retiring or going on long-term disability leave in the subsequent year. Sixty-seven percent of women who experienced a change went from full-time employment to early retirement, while the rest went from full-time employment to long-term disability or retirement, or their status was unknown. Although the study looked at many factors, only chemotherapy and older age were associated with an increased likelihood of a change in employment. Hassett said that most of the participants in the study worked for large employers that offered health insurance. He added that further research is needed to evaluate the effect of cancer diagnosis and treatment on work status for women who are self-employed or work for smaller companies (Hendry, Reuters, 6/30).
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Stem Cell Industry Expert Praises, Encourages Continued Progress On Legislation To Promote Benefits Of Cord Blood

Mercedes Walton, CEO of Cryo-Cell International, one of the largest and most established family cord blood banks, is praising legislative progress to date and encouraging continued momentum for existing bills through the second half of the year. H.R. 1718, the "Family Cord Blood Banking Act," and H.R. 2107, the "Cord Blood Education and Awareness Act of 2009" would continue to build on the progress from the first half of the year to enable and promote the continued research, public awareness and tax benefits related to storing and using cord blood, all of which provide great benefit to families across America. In early March, President Obama paved the way for progress by signing an executive order to remove barriers of responsible stem cell research. Later that month, U.S. Congressman Ronald Kline sponsored H.R. 1718, a proposed bill to provide significant tax benefits for the costs associated with umbilical cord blood banking. H.R. 1718 would amend an existing tax law in order to add these services to a list of qualified medical expenses that may be paid for with pre-tax dollars, or be deducted from taxable income. The promise of continued progress came in late April, when Congresswoman Jackie Speier introduced H.R. 2107, the "Cord Blood Education and Awareness Act of 2009." The proposed legislation, which was referred to committee in early June, directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a public education campaign on umbilical cord blood stem cells. The campaign would be aimed to develop methods to educate expectant parents about their options for banking or donating their child"s cord blood. H.R. 2107 also seeks to bring healthcare professionals up-to-date on the value of cord blood banking and would make grants available to reach crucial segments of the population, such as minority communities and families with a genetic history of treatable diseases. "This year"s encouraging volume of activity is testament to the growing acknowledgement of the benefits of stem cells, including non-controversial s such as umbilical cord blood," says Cryo-Cell CEO Mercedes Walton. "As we reach the midpoint in the year it"s a great time to reflect on the important progress that has been made, and to ensure that we maintain the positive momentum toward change that will benefit America"s families today and for decades to come." "We are encouraged and grateful on behalf of the families who may soon be able to more readily learn of the potential life-saving benefits of banking their baby"s cord blood, and have the opportunity to realize tax benefits as they would other medical costs," said Walton. "Every day, all of us at Cryo-Cell are motivated by the stories of families who have been touched by the miracle of stem cells, and by the rapid progress being made by the scientific community," adds Walton. Currently, stem cells from cord blood treat more than 75 such conditions, including sickle cell disease, several types of acute and chronic leukemias, Non-Hodgkin"s lymphoma, and Hodgkin"s disease. Emerging science shows great promise for potential treatments including spinal cord injury, heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, diabetes, Parkinson"s disease, Alzheimer"s disease and many more. A pioneer in the non-controversial stem cell arena, Cryo-Cell has served over 175,000 clients worldwide and led the cord blood banking industry with the successful establishment of a state-of-the-art Good Manufacturing Practice/Good Tissue Practice (cGMP/cGTP) laboratory processing facility well ahead of emerging regulation and competition. About Cryo-Cell International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CCEL.OB) Based in Oldsmar, Florida, with over 175,000 clients worldwide, Cryo-Cell is one of the largest and most established family cord blood banks. ISO 9001:2000 certified and accredited by the AABB, Cryo-Cell operates in a state-of-the-art Good Manufacturing Practice and Good Tissue Practice (cGMP/cGTP)-compliant facility. Cryo-Cell is a publicly traded company. OTC Bulletin Board Symbol: CCEL. Cryo-Cell International, Inc


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