Umbilical cord blood offers a perfectly natural, controversy-free method of acquiring stem cells. Until recently, the umbilical cord and its stem cells were discarded as medical waste. Today, doctors worldwide recognize that cord blood stem cells can aid in the treatment of numerous diseases by helping to generate healthy new cells and tissue.
Parents are deciding to take advantage of private cord blood banking not only as a treatment option for current uses, but also for their potential future uses. Stem cells are the “building blocks of life” that regenerate and form all other tissues, organs, and systems in the body.
Cord blood is a rich source of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs). These stem cells have two important features: they can renew themselves and they can create different types of specialized blood cells. Cord blood has low rejection rate and high growth potential.
HSCs are being used in the treatment of new diseases each year and may offer more opportunities than originally conceived possible. Researchers are expanding the potential of HSCs with current clinical research studies for autism, cerebral palsy, and diabetes.
American Academy of Pediatrics encourages private cord blood banking when there is a predisposition for a genetic condition that could benefit from cord blood transplantation. Additionally, the California Cryobank recommends private cord blood storage for clients that are using a sperm or egg donor.
The value of stem cells found in cord blood is clear; storing cord blood ensures that should a need ever arise, you will have a source of stem cells that is an exact genetic match to your baby. Storage of your baby’s cord blood at FamilyCord ensures that cord blood stem cells are available when you and your family need them most.