What is Cord Blood?
Cord blood comes from a newborn’s umbilical cord and is collected immediately after birth. Once the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, the remaining blood in the umbilical cord is drawn into a collection bag.
A Medical Resource
This blood contains powerful stem cells that have been used to regenerate healthy blood and immune systems in more than 30,000 transplants worldwide.68
Doctors are using cord blood to save lives today and researching cord blood as potential treatment for diseases that currently have no cure.
Are cord blood stem cells different than other stem cells?
Yes. Cord blood stem cells are biologically younger and are more flexible compared to adult stem cells from other sources like bone marrow. When saved, they have unique qualities and advantages:
- Less risk of complications when used in transplants39
- Ability to use one’s own stem cells for conditions that currently lack medical treatment options, also known as “autologous transplantation”
- Immediately available and can minimize disease progression in early treatment40
- Preserving them "stops the clock" and protects the cells from aging and being exposed to environmental factors and common viruses that can decrease their function41
Stem cells can heal the body, promote recovery, and offer an enormous amount of therapeutic potential. Learn about families who have used their stem cells here.