What is Umbilical Cord Blood?
Umbilical cord blood is a unique type of blood, only available for collection immediately after childbirth. Unlike mature blood, umbilical cord blood contains high numbers of stem cells that were used to create life. Known as hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), these cells can be programmed by the body to become any type of blood component, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Umbilical cord blood stem cells can be collected immediately after childbirth and processed to isolate and cryogenically preserve the HSCs for potential future medical use. If needed, stored stem cells from umbilical cord blood can be thawed and transfused into the bloodstream to regenerate the immune system.
Banking stem cells from your newborn’s umbilical cord blood ensures lifelong access to today’s science and tomorrow’s cures. Already used in over 80 FDA approved treatments, your child’s stem cells may be the key to future cures for cerebral palsy, Autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and other conditions.
Cord Blood is FDA Approved
Most of the diseases for which umbilical cord blood is a standard treatment are disorders of blood cell lineage, such as blood cancers, tumors, and other disorders. The hematopoietic stem cells in umbilical cord blood are used to rebuild the body following chemotherapy and other aggressive treatments. Currently, there are over 80 FDA approved treatments using umbilical cord blood, including childhood leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and other blood cancers and immune disorders.
Explore the possibilities stem cells offer today and learn more about their future potential.
Better Than Bone Marrow
Thirty years ago, a bone marrow transplant was a patient’s best hope for recovery. But as cord blood processing and storage technology have advanced, things have changed. According to the FDA and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, umbilical cord blood stem cells are now better than bone marrow. Stem cells from umbilical cord blood are widely used in clinical research and are a leading source of stem cells for cellular therapy. Be sure to understand the important benefits to consider when thinking about private cord blood banking for your growing family.
There When You Need It
Your child’s privately banked cord blood is ready to use immediately, whereas it can take several months to find a matching bone marrow donor. A potentially lifesaving treatment is one phone call away. At Cord for Life®, we have released over 2,200 units for treatments, clinical trials, and research. Our team has seen the power of stem cells and believes in their future potential.
Safer Transplants
In addition, treating your child with their own stem cells, rather than an unrelated bone marrow donor’s, reduces the risk of transmitting blood-borne diseases. There is also evidence that cord blood stem cells may not require as exact of a match as bone marrow stem cells. Using stem cells from umbilical cord blood lowers the risk for Graft-Versus-Host Disease, a serious and sometimes fatal complication where the donor’s immune cells attack the patient’s healthy tissue. Since the antigens in cord blood are less mature, they are less likely to see the patient’s cells as foreign and attack them.
Check out the table below for a helpful guide to the differences to consider when comparing private cord blood banking to relying on finding a suitable bone marrow donor.
LATEST ARTICLES
What is a 5-compartment cord blood freezer bag? Historically, cord blood was stored in a cryo-bag with only one or two chambers. Using a one chamber bag requires all of the stored product to be used at one time. A two-chamber bag typically has 80% in one section and 20% in the other section and […]
Cord for Life® ANNOUNCES CORD BLOOD CLINICAL TRIAL Phase I Trial for the Treatment of lower back pain of the Sacroiliac Joint ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL (October 29, 2021) Cord for Life®, a full-service cord blood bank with over 25 years of experience, today announced plans to conduct a clinical trial to treat lower back pain arising from the Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) using a biological therapeutic derived from umbilical cord blood. The company has received […]
The results of a Phase I study published in Stem Cell Translational Medicine suggest that it is safe and feasible to infuse stem cells from banked umbilical cord blood into adults following an acute ischemic stroke. This research paves the way for additional studies into the efficacy of umbilical cord blood in treating stroke patients. […]
Ready to sign-up for cord blood banking?
Reserve your Cord Blood Collection Kit in time to bring it with you when you go into labor. Give your newborn every advantage with cord blood banking!
Donate Cord Blood
By donating your newborn’s cord blood, you are joining a nationwide effort to create a genetically diverse inventory of stem cells for transplant to a child.
