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.