Stem cells are often referred to as the building blocks of the blood as well as of other tissues and organs in the body. These stem cells are very special compared to other cells because they have the ability to adapt. Unlike other cells within the body they are non-specific, and this means that they can ensure the reproduction and healthy growth of cells in all parts of the body rather than just in a particular area of the body.

Red blood cells (which transport oxygen and carbon dioxide around the body and to other organs and tissue), white blood cells (instrumental in fighting disease and maintaining the immune system), and platelets (vital to help the blood to clot) are all produced from stem cells, so as you can see the stem cell is indeed a vital requirement for healthy blood and body.

Most cells within the body are specific to a particular area such as the heart or the kidney. However, stem cells are able to ‘fit in’ with other cells, adapting to suit the needs of the body. In addition to umbilical cord blood, which is rich in young and valuable stem cells, these calls are found in the bone marrow and in the blood circulating around the body.

The other unique thing about stem cells is that they are able to renew and replicate themselves for long periods of time by dividing. This is known as proliferation, and stem cells can proliferate many times over. The cells produced through this proliferation can remain as stem cells or can join the cells of the kidney, liver, heart or any other tissue or organ of the body.