Cord blood is the blood located inside the umbilical cord after the cord has been cut. It is rich with stem cells, which have the ability to regenerate and form cells that create all other tissues, organs, and systems in the human body. The unique and special characteristics of cord blood cells provide the possibility of healing some cancers or inherited diseases. Also, according to the American Pregnancy Association, cord blood stem cells are oftentimes rejected less by the body as compared to healthy adult bone marrow stem cells. If a parent elects to do so, cord blood can be stored at the time of an infant’s delivery for medical use in the future. Some experts question the effectiveness of storing cord blood, however, as it may contain the same cells that caused a disease or medical condition in the child, the National Institutes of Health reports. To learn more about cord blood and cord blood banking, please view the resources below:
EmpowHER articles that describe what cord blood is and why a parent might consider saving cord blood from their infant at birth:
Cord Blood Banking-the Medicine of the Future? May 30, 2010.
Cord Blood Donation, June 6, 2010.
Thinking About Cord Blood Banking? June 9, 2010.
Can You Save Devan’s Life? It’s as Easy as Swabbing Your Cheek, May 20, 2010.
EmpowHER articles that provide examples of how stem cell research and therapies promise to help treat important diseases:
Growing New Organs from Cord Blood—Why Transplants May Not Be Needed in Future, June 13, 2010.
Can Obama Cure Cancer with Stem Cell Research? March 9, 2009.
Can Stem Cell Research Help Juvenile Diabetes? February 5, 2009.
New ‘Skin’ From Stem Cells. November 19, 2009.
Other helpful sites for information on cord blood storage and bone marrow donations:
Cord Blood Education Center: “What are the choices?”
National Cord Blood Program: “Cord Blood Q & A”