What Are Stem Cells?

Stem cells have the power to save lives

Stem cells are the "building blocks of life" that regenerate and turn into the cells that form all other tissues, organs, and systems in the body.

Ongoing stem cell research is generating increasing knowledge about how healthy cells can develop and replace damaged cells. Given that cord blood stem cells have the unique ability to develop into other cell types, these stem cells hold the potential for treating and curing some of the most common diseases.

Initially, cord blood stem cells were used to treat blood cancers, but now scientists are researching Alzheimer's, Cerebral Palsy, diabetes heart disease, stroke, and spinal cord injury.

What are umbilical cord blood stem cells?
A baby's umbilical cord blood is a valuable source of stem cells, which are genetically unique to your family. Until recently, the umbilical cord and its stem cells were discarded as medical waste.

Today, doctors worldwide recognize that cord blood stem cells can help generate healthy new cells and tissue and aid in the treatment of numerous diseases. Umbilical cord blood offers a perfectly natural, controversy-free method of acquiring stem cells.

The value and benefits of stem cells found in cord blood are clear; Storing your newborn's cord blood means that should there be a need, your baby will have a source of stem cells that is an exact match, with no risk of rejection.

There is also a strong possibility that his/her siblings will be a match as well. This is important because clinical studies demonstrate that stem cell transplants are twice as successful when the stem cells come from a family member rather than from a non-relative (e.g., a public bank).

For additional information on cord blood banking, please contact a cord blood educator online or at 800-490-2673 (CORD)