Cord Blood Banking

Cord blood banking is a relatively new medical breakthrough that derives stem cells from the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies. These stem cells can be used to treat blood diseases like leukemia and lymphoma, and doctors are currently working on ways to expand their usage. So, when you become pregnant, consider taking part in a cord blood program, as your baby’s umbilical cord blood could help to save a life someday.

Diseases Treated

Currently, there are over 70 different diseases that can be treated using umbilical cord blood. Leukemia and lymphoma are the most common diseases that have been treated using this new technology. Patients with these diseases are required to undergo extensive chemotherapy, which destroys the diseased cells but also damages the immune system in the process. Cord blood transplants help patients to rebuild their immune system and restore healthy blood cells.

Cord blood can also be used to treat disorders like Sickle Cell Anemia by replacing abnormal blood cells with healthy ones. In the future, doctors will be able to treat a wider range of diseases with cord blood, such as diabetes and Alzheimers’s disease.

Who Should Bank Cord Blood

Many parents believe that they do not need to bank their child’s cord blood unless they have a family history of disease. While families with a severe medical history should be the first to consider cord blood banking, it is a beneficial option to all families. Many parents call it an insurance policy for peace of mind, as it provides their family with a treatment option should anyone ever fall ill.

Joining a Cord Blood Program

If you decide that cord blood banking is right for you, speak to your family doctor about the options of private and public cord blood banking. They will provide you with all of the information you need in order to register with a cord blood program and help you get started.