Cord Blood

Many people are not familiar with or know much about cord blood.

Some Definitions:

CORD BLOOD:

1. BLood taken from the umbilical cord at the time of birth. It is rich in a variety of stem cells. Cord blood is collected after the umbilical cord has been detached from the newborn.

2. Blood from the placenta drawn through the newly severed umbilical cord, collected for study or for possible transfusion to treat disease in the child.

3. Blood present in the umbilical vessels at the time of delivery

STEM CELL:

1. A cell that upon division replaces its own numbers and also gives rise to cells that differentiate further into one or more specialized types, as various B cells and T cells.

2. An unspecialized cell that gives rise to a specific specialized cell, such as a blood cell.

3. An undifferentiated cell whose daughter cells may differentiate into other cell types (such as blood cells).

There are now many Cord Blood Banks that will store your baby's cord blood for you.

Also, beginning in the late 80's cord blood stem cells have been used to treat a great number of genetic diseases, cancers and blood disorders.

Your baby, or your family may never need your baby's cord blood, but if you ever do,

and if you make storage arrangements you know it is there.

There are also blood banks that you can donate cord blood to.

There are at least 70 different diseases and disorders currently treated by cord blood. So you can see it is very much sought after and needed.

If you would like to donate cord blood there are Cord Blood Banks accross all American states and many countries all around the world.