Cord Blood

Umbilical cord blood is blood that remains in the placenta and attached umbilical cord following childbirth. This blood may be collected and stored for future use because it contains stem cells, which can be used to treat genetic and other disorders that may arise later. Such disorders include both cancerous and benign conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, blood disorders, immune-deficiencies and bone marrow syndromes. Some families choose to “bank” their baby’s cord blood, which means having it taken from the umbilical cord at birth and paying to have it stored at a private blood bank. In isolated cases, this stem cell-rich cord blood may be used in combatting a serious disease contracted by the child or his or her family member at some point in the future.