Current Uses
Your baby's cord blood is rich with his or her genetically unique stem cells. Saving them gives your family access to a medical resource that has been used in more than 25,000 transplants.
Diseases Treated:
Cancers:
- Acute Leukemia
- Chronic Leukemia
- High-Risk Solid Tumors
- Hodgkin & Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Blood Disorders:
- Beta Thalassemia
- Diamond-Blackfan Anemia
- Fanconi Anemia
- Severe Aplastic Anemia
- Sickle Cell Disease
Immune Disorders:
- Chronic Granulomatous Disease
- Hystiocytic Disorders
- Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency
- Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Diseases
- Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome
Metabolic Disorders:
- Krabbe Disease
- Hurler Syndrome
- Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
- Sanfilippo Syndrome
The Possibilities of Regenerative Medicine: The regenerative potential of cord blood stem cells are being evaluated in clinical trials today. Researchers are working to develop medical therapies that may eventually help repair or replace damaged cells, tissues, and organs. While cord blood stem cells are used in most current treatments, stem cells found in cord tissue–which are different from those in cord blood–may be just as precious, and are being evaluated for their ability to heal spinal cord, brain, and cartilage injuries.
Clinical Trials Using Cord Blood
Clinical trials are currently underway to study the use of cord blood stem cells as treatment for:
- Autism
- Cerebral palsy
- Hearing loss
- Traumatic brain injury
- Juvenile diabetes
To be eligible for these and future clinical trials, the child must have access to his or her own cord blood.
Research Using Cord Tissue
In laboratory studies, cord tissue stem cells have demonstrated the power to heal, and are currently being evaluated in clinical trials as therapies for conditions including:
- Heart disease
- Serious wounds
- Spinal cord injury
- Cartilage injury
- Liver disease
While concern about diseases motivates many expecting parents to save their babies' stem cells, there are a variety of compelling reasons to bank or donate:
- Doctor recommendation
- History of family illness
- Desire to help others (donate)
- Peace of mind
- Concern about finding a match, if needed (family bank)
In Their Own Words
Reasons for banking vary but, after talking to their doctor, insurer or friends, these parents all agree on one thing - newborn stem cells are too valuable to be thrown away.
Chloe Levine's Story
Chloe was diagnosed with a brain injury at 9 months old. Find out how cord blood may have played a role in her therapy.
Joseph Davis' Story
After two years of caring for a child in constant pain, the Davis family found hope with the birth of their second son, Isaac.
Why Bank?
Not every parent banks because of a family history of disease. See why one family chose to bank their baby's stem cells.
