Cord Blood - Why So Important

Realizing the importance of collecting cord blood is not difficult: life saving cells, that are considered the beginning of all major blood cells, are abundant within the umbilical cord of a newborn.
By collecting, and storing these "beginning" blood cells, the potential for saving the life of up to 3 different individuals (and possibly your own child or family member) is increased dramatically.
Cord Blood, in ways that are still being researched, has a greater potential for being accepted into another's blood system. With the rejection rate decreased, these cells can migrate to bone marrow, re-establishing a healthy supply of depleted, killed or damaged cells from diseases such as leukemia, due to chemotherapy and/or radiation.
Although only about 2 cups of cord blood can be collected from the umbilical cord at birth, this small amount is rich in these early (primitive) cells. Because they are so new and primitive, they are able to mature into one of at least 3 different cells: white or red blood cells, and platelets, which promotes blood clotting - preventing bleed outs - or massive losses of blood due to some diseases, medications or low platelet counts from treatments. Their potential to grow into other cells is also being studied.
These important cells from cord blood are playing vital roles in cures and in research. With the success from transfusions creating immune system stability, and creating new oxygen baring cells for many diseases, researchers are hoping that more diseases can not only be treated effectively, but possibly stopped in their tracks altogether.
Collecting cord blood is a painless and relatively simple procedure, but should be planned in advance of the delivery. Deciding upon the cord blood bank will require some research, and understanding how the payment tiers work, along with the term should all be carefully considered. The decision to collect and bank your child's cord blood may be one of the first most important decisions that can be made, for both your child and your family. Knowing that there is a source of perfect matching blood, with vital lifesaving cells stored for some unfortunate crisis may offer a peace of mind that could not be matched.