Why Is Cord Blood So Important?

Formerly considered medical waste, cord blood can be a lifeline for a child, sibling, family member or compatible stranger. Present in the umbilical cord are stem cells, a blank slate capable of developing into other types of needed cells.

Stem Cells

• Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells. Stem cells produce blood cells like platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells.

Compatibility

• Stems cells are 100 percent compatible with the donor child.

Availability

• Cord blood is more readily available in case of a needed transplant.

Diseases Treated

• Umbilical cord blood may be used to treat many diseases including sickle cell anemia, acute lymphoblastic anemia and Hunter Syndrome.

Graft Versus Host Disease

• There's a lower chance a cord blood recipient will develop graft versus host disease, a deadly condition where the donor's cells attack the recipient's cells.

Considerations

• According to the March of Dimes, if you bank your child's stem cells, there's an one in 2,700 chance the she will actually need them.