Why Store Cord Blood? What is Cord Blood? What are Stem Cells? Why is Cord Blood Controversial? What is the Potential for Cord Blood? What Diseases Does Cord Blood Currently Treat? What are Potential Future Uses? What is the Likelihood We Will Need the Baby's Cord Blood? Will my Doctor Know How to Collect It?

What is Cord Blood?

Cord blood is the blood collected from the umbilical cord immediately following the birth of a child. This blood had been used to nourish the baby during pregnancy, but is no longer necessary once the baby has been delivered.

Cord blood is rich in multipotent hematopoietic "stem cells" (or blood stem cells). These cord blood stem cells produce the cellular ingredients necessary for the blood and the immune system. When these cells are transplanted into patients, they can help restore the immune and blood systems to help fight diseases and replace diseased blood.

Collecting your child's cord blood and saving it in a cord blood bank provides you with insurance in case your child develops any of the illnesses where cord blood is used in treatment.

Cord Blood: Will my child need it?

Questions? Ask a cord blood expert