There are two main places that stem cells can be retrieved from: bone marrow, and cord blood, which is the blood found in the umbilical cord after the birth of a child. This blood contains stem cells that carry the blueprint for the child’s healthy body and represent a potential “self-repair” kit for the child as well as family members. Cord blood is the most desirable form for recovered stem cells, because stem cells from a new infant have not been damaged as much as stem cells from the bone marrow of an older person.
Why store stem cells?
There are many reasons for new parents to use stem cell storage for their children. If a person’s blood stem cells become injured due to diseases, leukemia, or cancer, the only hope for a cure is a blood stem cell transplant. If parents opt to store their newborn’s stem cells, they will have immediate access to their child’s cord blood stem cells in case of an emergency requiring a transplant of healthy new stem cells. Transplanted cells must match the patient’s cells, so having these stored cells is valuable since they guarantee you a match. Also, if someone in your family is currently battling a disease, your child’s cord blood stem cells can be used as treatment. Already cord stem cells have been used in thousands of lifesaving medical treatments.
It has been proved that stored cord blood stem cells are viable after ten to fifteen years of cryogenic storage. It is believed, however, that there may be no expiration date for stored cord blood stem cells. Studies are still being done regarding how long stem cells can be frozen before it begins to affect their structure.
How does it work?
Cord blood stem cells can be stored for future medical use, but unless you choose to have them stored they are discarded with the placenta and umbilical cord immediately after birth. This blood is genetically unique to your family and can be a wonderful tool for the family’s medical safety. The collection procedure takes only a few minutes and is simple, painless, and safe.
Most companies perform cord blood stem cell storage by separating the stem cells from the cord blood and placing the cells in a vial. A solution is then added to the vials to prevent the cord blood stem cells from getting “freezer burn” from their immersion in liquid nitrogen. This solution is removed when needed by using centripetal force to spin the solution from the cord blood stem cells. The temperature of the vial that is used is then slowly lowered until it is ready to be placed into liquid nitrogen. This prevents the stem cells from going into shock. The nitrogen will help the cells retain their characteristics until your family needs them. Stem cell storage is a safe and effective way for parents to do everything they can to ensure the health and safety of their family. Medical professionals don’t have to be the only ones in control of the lives of our loved ones. Our medical security can also lie in the scientific reliability of stem cell storage.
By Kristin Lockwood