"I would like to see umbilical cord stem cell storage offered to every pregnant woman. It is a simple process which can be a life-saver..."
Dr. Peter Hollands, Senior Lecturer
in Biomedical Science & stem cell pioneer
Dħul Dwarna Stem Cells Tagħrif għall-ġenituri Tagħrif għall-profesjonisti Aħbarijiet Avvenimenti Talbiet Ħanut
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Why bank cord blood cells
Stem Cells Heal

Stem cells have been called "the factory of the blood system" by the March of Dimes. They can replenish themselves indefinitely and transform into a range of different cell types, as and when the need arises. This means it's possible for stem cells to repair damaged tissues, including those in the heart and spinal cord. Stem cells could even make it possible to treat diseases like diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

Medical researchers are rapidly developing new cures for genetic diseases, which are most effectively treated in early childhood. Early childhood treatment not only alleviates many years of suffering due to the effects of disease, but also prevents the onset of irreversible effects from disease progression. Treatment of diseases by stem cell gene therapy would best be accomplished by the use of the child’s stem cells isolated from their umbilical cord.

According to the authoritative Bone & Marrow Transplant Newsletter, the risk of developing a disease that could require a stem cell transplant may be as high as 1 in 300. This fact alone has convinced many expectant parents to preserve their newborn's cord blood stem cells, making them available for a lifetime.

Stem Cells Are Priceless

The value of your baby's cord blood is immeasurable—and the opportunity to save it literally comes once in a lifetime. Cord blood is what remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after your baby is born and is a potent source of stem cells. Collecting cord blood takes only a few minutes and is completely safe, painless and noninvasive, since the blood is drawn from the umbilical cord after it is cut.


References:
  • Perry TE, Roth SJ. Cardiovascular tissue engineering. Constructing living tissue cardiac valves and blood vessels using bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, and peripheral blood cells. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2003;18:30-37.

  • Verfaillie CM, Pera MF, Lansdorp PM. Stem cells: hype and reality. Hematology. 2002; :369-391.

  • Gluckman E. Current status of umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Exp Hematol. 2000;28:1197-1205.

  • Cairo MS, Wagner JE. Placental and/or umbilical cord blood: an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation. Blood. 1997;90:4665-4678.

  • Rubinstein P, Carrier C, Scaradavou A, et al. Outcomes among 562 recipients of placental-blood transplants from unrelated donors. N Engl J Med. 1998;339:1565-1577.
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