I have always been fascinated with the science of genes. What makes one child’s hair straight and another’s curly — when both parents have straight hair? And then when you start thinking about all of the things scientists are learning to do with gene therapy and stem cells, helping to treat and hopefully even cure diseases at a cellular level — fascinating.
When my oldest was born preserving stem cells by cord blood banking was in its infancy and really wasn’t a practical option. By the time my second was born, I planned to donate her cord blood. I don’t like to waste anything, so it made sense to me to donate it to someone who might be able to use (or study it). But sadly, there was a mix up and it was thrown out instead of being donated. I was crushed, all of those stem cells wasted. (I was also hormonal, but to this day I wish they had the potential to help another.)
Cord Blood Banking Options
Expecting parents have two options when it comes to cord blood banking — public or private. With public cord blood banking, the blood is preserved at no-cost to the parents and made available as an anonymous donation either to a person to help treat a disease like leukemia or to scientists to further research.
Private cord blood banking preserves the stem cells for later personal use either by the child or a sibling. Stem cells can currently be used to treat more than 80 blood diseases and with ongoing research into stem cells that list is sure to grow.
StemCyte
StemCyte offers parents the peace of mind of safe cord blood banking with one of the highest rates of transplanted stem cells in the buisness. That means not only is the company collecting cord blood, it is also helping families use the stem cells in the cord blood later in life.
Using a proprietary stem cell optimization process that consistently delivers cell recovery of 99% or higher, StemCyte offers one of the highest numbers of viable stem cells – functional, usable cells preserved years or even decades after their banking – in the industry. StemCyte’s U.S. facility has also maintained accreditation by FACT (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy) since 2006. StemCyte was the first cord blood bank in the world to receive accreditation in all three cord blood banking activities: unrelated, family-related, and autologous cord blood. FACT is known for international standardization of clinical and laboratory practices for all cellular therapies.
Preserving the stem cells in cord blood is like an insurance policy that you hope to never cash in, but since we don’t know how many things will be possible in the future with stem cells it could someday save a life.
For more information about cord blood banking visit StemCyte.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
We have cord blood banking for one of our children. The good thing is that we were told that it would be a match for any of our kids if needed.
Stephanie Phelps says
You know I would have not wanted to years ago but after reading more about it I think it is a great idea!
Karen Glatt says
I have never thought about Cord blood banking, but i think it is a very good idea! It would be great to help others with stem cell research by donating the cord blood after birth.
shelly peterson says
I have never thought about it before, but I think it would be a good idea.
Christina says
It is something I have heard about, but I have not given it careful consideration. I may or may not do it, I would need to do more research.
Janet W. says
This might be a good idea because you just never know if it’s really needed or not. Better to be safe than sorry!
Ellen Christian (@ellenblogs) says
That is a neat idea. I don’t think they had this when my kids were tiny or at least I never knew about it.
keely hostetter says
We did consider doing this but didn’t. I don’t remember why at the time we decided not to do it. It’s amazing what they can do with these kind of things.
Dana Rodriguez says
I think it is a good thing to consider.This really doesn’t pertain to me as I don’t have any little ones but I think it is great!
Chrysa says
This sounds like an interesting option. I don’t have kids myself, but it is something I would have to contemplate if I did.
Amy Orvin says
I have never heard of it before. I think it would be great to learn more about Cord blood banking. It sounds fascinating!
Dandi D says
I have definitely considered it, but don’t know if I will actually do it or not.
Elena says
I have not considered it, but it sounds like a good idea
DJ says
I do think it is a really good idea, although I don’t have any children myself. I will be sharing this information with my mommy friends.
CR Williams says
I have a lot of about but I have never considered it before.
Linda Trinklein says
I have heard / thought about it, but at the time i had my children we did not have the money to do it!
thanks for the post!
Andrew says
I’ve never heard of this before. Very interesting – technology sure has come a long, long ways in changing life on earth!
Tammileetips says
I think its amazing how technology has come along!! This sounds like a good place to bank cord blood when a baby is born!