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"...scientists can develop new therapies to tackle brain and spinal cord repair, Alzheimer's and other degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's"
Tony Blair - British Ex-Prime Minister
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Stem cells are found in three primary sources: bone marrow, peripheral (circulating) blood, and umbilical cord blood. Stem cells are the body's master cells, the building blocks of organs, blood, and the immune system and can turn into other cell types including bone, heart, muscle, nerve, and liver. In the late 1980s, doctors found success using cord blood stem cells to treat diseases that had previously been treated with bone marrow transplantation.
When used to treat disease or injury, the patient's own stem cells are re-introduced into the body and know how to migrate to the damaged area of the body and begin repairing the tissue.
After thousands of uses, cord blood stem cells have proven effective for medical treatments in both adults and children.
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Stem cells are used to treat dozens of diseases and disorders, and many more treatments are on the horizon.
Until recently patients suffering from malignant blood disorders would have to rely on finding a bone marrow donor. The chances of finding a match are less than 1 in 40,000 (10 times higher for patients of Asian and Arabic heritage), and even after a successful bone marrow transplant, rejection would occur in up to 50% of cases.
Stem cells have proven to be a natural alternative to bone marrow transplants, with no risk of rejection…these are the patient's own stem cells.
Research has shown that the remarkable additional benefit from storing these life-saving cells is that there is a 4:1 chance that the new-born's stem cells could be used to treat the baby's siblings.
The number of uses for stem cells is expected to grow substantially with continuous international research. With the remarkable ability to specialise into different types of cells, stem cells could be used to treat an extraordinary range of diseases and conditions, including:
- HEART DISEASE
- STROKE
- CANCERS
- DIABETES
- SPINAL CORD INJURY
- BURNS
- ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
- PARKINSON'S DISEASE
- OSTEO-ARTHRITIS
- RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Such a simple procedure at birth could save your child's life from a wide and growing range of illnesses.
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Collection of the stem cells is made immediately after birth. At this time the umbilical cord blood is rich with these potentially life-saving cells, which in the past would have been discarded with the placenta. The cord blood collection bag supplied with your smartbaby kit can hold a maximum of 200ml of blood; we recommend a minimum of 60ml to process your sample. It is possible to collect the stem cells either before or after the placenta has been delivered.
This makes the collection of your baby's stem cells a once in a lifetime opportunity.
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On receipt of your application we will supply you with the smartbaby collection kit. Your doctor, nurse or midwife will then collect your baby's stem cell sample immediately after the birth of your baby. The procedure typically takes less than five minutes and is completely painless and risk-free to baby and mother.
HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) testing is also available as an additional service post collection. This ascertains whether another family member is a ‘match' to the stored stem cells.
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Once your baby's sample has been obtained, it is then transported to our state-of-the-art laboratory, where the stem cells are separated from the umbilical cord blood.
Smart Cells UK laboratory sets new standards. Based in the UK at Plymouth, the laboratory undertakes all Smart Cells cord blood preparation and storage in an environment designed to comply with all current and foreseeable European medical guidelines and practices.
The Smart Cells laboratory is MHRA registered and complies with all current EU directives and regulations. Furthermore, our laboratory operates under an ISO9001:2000 management system. The laboratory sets new standards in processing and has also been chosen to store peripheral blood for the NHS. All processing is undertaken in a Controlled Processing Laboratory, within a Class A clean room, ensuring that all processing is sterile and conducted by specifically trained staff. A sophisticated haematology analyser is used to accurately determine the number and quality of the cells in every blood sample.
The blood is prepared for final freezing in a cryogenic pouch using a sterile, closed bag system. The process effectively separates the blood into its component parts and then computer-controlled equipment ensures that the stem cells are captured. These cells are stored as two samples and cryogenically frozen in a hermetically sealed storage pouch. The pouch, in its protective aluminium cassette, is then stored for up to 25 years in a medical registered device, at a temperature below minus 180°C, at which temperature the cell ageing process is effectively suspended). Having been logged into the inventory management system, the sample's location is secure, continually monitored and alarm protected.
Your baby's stem cells are stored and available for immediate use for at least the next 25 years. We store for 25 years because the first stem cells were stored in this way in 1979 and are still viable. After 25 years, you will have the option to continue storing or donate the valuable stem cells to a public bank.
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