After the birth of a baby, the umbilical cord and placenta are usually discarded. However, even after the cord has been cut, the placenta and umbilical cord retain what is known as placental blood or cord blood.

Following research carried out in the early 1980s by a team of medical experts, it was discovered that cord blood from the umbilical cord and placenta contained valuable cells known as stem cells, which naturally produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets within the blood. These stem cells are a valuable resource, and are instrumental to our blood and immune systems.

Stem cell therapy is relatively new in the grand scheme of things, but has already helped many people that would otherwise have died. The rich stem cell content in the cord blood following a baby’s birth is a vital resource that could help to save the lives of others, but is all too often discarded without a second thought.

As more and more research has been carried out in to the positive uses of cord blood, banks for the preservation of this stem cell-rich blood have been set up all over the country. This gives parents-to-be the chance to donate their baby’s cord blood thus giving others the chance to benefit from a lifesaving therapy. As an increasing number of parents-to-be learn about the benefits of preserving cord blood, this type of therapy is expected to become a highly significant treatment option for a variety of medical conditions, many of which are life threatening.  

The preservation of cord blood could benefit the family of the newborn as well as others that may be in need of its valuable cells. A future accident or emergency involving a member of the family could warrant the need for these stem cells, and could mean the difference between life and death.