What is Cord Blood?
Cord blood refers to the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after it is separated from your newborn. In the past, the umbilical cord and placenta were discarded after delivery, but it was discovered that the blood found inside is rich in a special type of cell called a stem cell.
Stem cells are the body's building blocks. The stem cells found in cord blood are the building blocks of the body's immune system and blood system. Not only do these cells have the ability to generate all types of blood cells, but they can also be used to treat a variety of life-threatening diseases such as Leukemia and other cancers, blood and immune disorders, Hodgkin's Disease and sickle cell anemia.
In fact, stem cells from umbilical cord blood are now being used to treat approximately 75 diseases, and can even be used to regenerate the blood and immune systems of patients who undergo chemotherapy and radiation. Preserved umbilical cord blood stem cells are a source of cells that have also been used to repair and regenerate tissue.
Did you know that bone marrow transplants are a type of stem cell transplant? Cord blood is actually a richer source of stem cells than bone marrow and there is a lower rate of rejection between donor and recipient in cord blood transplants. Additionally, if you choose to privately bank your child's cord blood stem cells, they will be readily available should your child need a transplant, helping you to avoid the search for a suitable donor for your child. This is noteworthy for populations that are underrepresented in donor banks.
You may have heard of the controversy surrounding embryonic stem cells. Cord blood stem cells are exempt from this controversy because they are not derived from embryos, they are instead collected from the umbilical cord after birth.
