The medical uses of cord blood are still widely recognized
The medical uses of cord blood are still widely recognized, but the general public should become more aware and educated on the topic. Cord blood can make all the difference between suffering from a life-threatening disease and living a long, healthy life.
It is an important decision that all expecting parents should consider, as cord blood contains a rich source of stem cells that can be used to treat a wide array of blood diseases. Currently, there are over 80 different diseases for which cord blood is a viable and successful treatment option. This list includes various forms of cancer, immunodeficiencies, bone marrow failure syndromes and blood disorders. In addition, doctors have already started testing the use of cord blood for a myriad of other conditions, including strokes, heart disease, diabetes, spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s.
The process of collecting cord blood is painless for both the child and the mother, unlike bone marrow transplants which can be invasive for the donor and recipient. After the child is born, doctors clamp and cut the umbilical cord before sending it away to be cryogenically stored. Cord blood is most often used to treat immediate family members or for analogous transplants (wherein the donor and the recipient are the same person). However, cord blood can also be donated anonymously to help treat individuals with various conditions across the country.