Stem cells are the additional supply of cells a baby is born with, and these cells are stored in the cord blood, which is the blood in the umbilical cord. Doctors have found that stem cells have potent regenerative properties and can be used for donation, especially to siblings and family members in case of disease. The matches for cord blood have even proven to be more accurate than bone marrow transplants. Medical studies have proven that survival rates are doubled when a patient is treated with stem cells, as opposed to a bone marrow transplant, which was previously one of the most accurate ways to match cells between family members. The stem cells in cord blood have been used by doctors in the place of bone marrow to treat certain cancers like leukemia and lymphoma since the 1980s, when the benefits of cord blood were first discovered.
Many parents are now asking that their baby’s cord blood and stem cells be saved, in case the child or a family member will ever need the stem cells in the future. The parents of children whose stem cells have been preserved have actually benefited from this, and have been saved from degenerative diseases and loss of bone mass. There have also been cases of older siblings being able to use the stem cells of a younger or unborn sibling to fight and get rid of cancer. The cord blood can be taken from the uterus before the baby is born, or the stem cells can be collected right after delivery, at which point it is frozen and stored for potential future use.
Stems cells are extremely important because they provide the building blocks for other cells--red blood cells for transporting oxygen throughout the body; white blood cells to fight infections; and platelets, which are necessary for clotting and govern the blood health and immune system.
There are a number of websites connected to medical institutions where you can register to have stem cells and cord blood stored. You’ll have to provide all of your personal information, and you should register for the process before your baby is born. A courier will contact you once after the delivery of your child, and ship the stem cells of to storage until they need to be used. Your cord blood sample will be tracked until it reaches the storage area, and you’ll be notified once it arrives. You’ll also receive contact information in case you ever need your stem cells.
To receive more information on the benefits of preserving stem cells, visit www.cordblood.com. You’ll receive answers to some common questions and concerns about cord blood donations, plus real-life success stories about stem cells transplants. Also, in honor of Cord Blood Health month, you’ll find special details for expectant parents, including how stem cells can help prevent the onset of diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease in some families.
If you’re expecting a child soon, or thinking about becoming pregnant, consider saving your baby’s stem cells. You, your baby, or another family member may one day be very glad you did.
By Tamiya King