Reasons to save cord blood

Umbilical cord blood taken during the birthing process can save lives. If you are considering this non-invasive procedure through a cord blood registry, you should know that umbilical cord blood banking preserves a supply of stem cells for you and your family members in medical emergencies. The reasons are compelling:

• Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells -- the master cells of the body that show great promise in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, cancer, and strokes. Stem cells have already proven useful in treating Juvenile Leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, Sickle-cell anemia, and congenital immune system disorders.
• Cord blood collection is made from the umbilical cord, not from a fetus in development. It isn't steeped in controversies associated in other techniques of gathering stem cells.
• Cord blood transplants are considered an easier match within families than more traditional bone marrow cell resources.
• The young, immune cells gathered for cord blood storage are genetically unique to your family, and are more easily transplanted without rejection.
• Stem cells from umbilical cord blood have been shown to strengthen immune systems weakened by disease or surgery.
• Demand for cell tissue donors is high. Patients often have to wait long periods for a match while their condition deteriorates. People who have arranged cord blood banking with a cord blood registry have a ready supply of cells that are genetically matched.
• For those already in treatment for life-threatening illnesses, stem cells from blood cord donation can restore fresh blood where chemotherapy and radiation have killed off healthy cells.
• To be effective, umbilical cord blood must be collected within fifteen minutes of your child's birth.

Storing cord blood

Cord blood banking is a science. Once you've made a decision to store your newborn's cord blood, it is critical to ensure that your family's new resource of cord blood stem cells is secure and reliable if you or a loved one ever needs a cord blood transplant. While self-storage options are out there, you may find that working with a certified cord blood registry is preferential in the long term.

Not All Banks Guarantee Your Supply

Many communities lack financial resources and technological know-how to operate public cord blood banks. So-called "unrelated" cord blood banks may take your donated umbilical cord blood, but they make no claims that it will be available when you need it. Not only is it more risky to obtain blood from a non-related donor for reasons of genetic matching and rejection, it can be costly in terms of precious time and money. Often cells are needed in a hurry, and a long line of requestors can stand between your family member and the cells vital to their recovery. Cord blood from unrelated donors and obtained through public cord blood banks can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Registries May Be Worth Your Investment

Deciding to reserve your infant's cord blood for your family's use may seem selfish, but not if you or a family member desperately needs it. The good news is that many cord blood registries will not charge for storage if the expectant mother's family includes members suffering from diseases treatable with cord blood. Moreover, many registered private cord blood banks have established and accredited collection, processing, and storage facilities. Before deciding, be sure to look into your registry's corporate stability.