Cord Blood Banking

Although they have been around for over a decade, cord blood banks are a relatively new development in the stem cell research industry. In these institutions, babies’ umbilical cord blood is stored for safe keeping, as they present a rich source of stem cells that can be used to treat a wide variety of blood diseases and disorders.

The process of cord blood banking begins months before a child is born. Expecting parents will often be informed by their family doctor about the option of storing their child’s cord blood for future use at least 6 months before their child is born. It is often advised that parents seriously consider banking their cord blood, as the stem cells can be used treat over 75 diseases, including leukemia, sickle cell disease and Non-Hodkin’s lymphoma.

After the child is delivered, a courier from the cord blood bank will pick up the sample and promptly take it to the storage facility, where it will be stored until the parents request it. With a family cord blood bank, only the parents are given access to the sample if anyone in their immediate family contracts a disease that is treatable with a cord blood transplant. When donating to a public bank, the sample is given to the first available match.

Even if parents never have to use the sample, cord blood banking offers them peace of mind over their child’s health.