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Giving Families Hope
for Longer Healthier Lives

By banking your baby's stem cells, your child and family can have access to better options for medical treatments or cures for cancers, as well as possible future treatments for conditions such as heart disease, juvenile diabetes, and brain injury.

"Cord blood was Chloe's chance for a new life."
- Jenny Levine, mother of Chloe who was diagnosed with a brain injury and used her cord blood.

Doheney Family

"My brother's
cord blood saved my life."
- Keegan Doheney, treated for leukemia.

Stem Cell Banking Q & A

Q. What is cord blood?

A. Cord blood, also known as “placental blood,” is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth and after the cord is cut. The blood contains a rich source of special cells called “stem cells” that are used in medical treatments for a number of diseases.

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Q. What are stem cells?

A. Stem cells are the body’s “master” cells that replicate and differentiate into all other cell types in the body. They are the building blocks of organ tissue, blood and the immune system.

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Q. Why are stem cells important?

A. Stem cells are vital to our survival. They are found in bone marrow and cord blood and have the ability to regenerate into other types of cells in the body. Doctors initially used stem cells in a transplant to regenerate the blood and immune cells following chemotherapy for cancers and blood disorders. Doctors are now focusing on cord blood stem cells and their ability to regenerate and turn into the cells that form all other tissues, organs, and systems in the body. The regenerative ability of stem cells is a discovery that holds tremendous promise for treating and curing some of the most common diseases.

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Q. What is cord blood banking?

A. Cord blood banking is the collection and storage of a newborn’s umbilical cord blood. Cryogenic storage keeps stem cells found in cord blood viable for future use.

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Q. Why is banking my baby’s cord blood important?

A. Cord blood banking is considered to be a form of protection because by collecting and freezing your baby’s cord blood stem cells, you are saving a biological resource that can ensure access to the best medical treatment option for your child or family member. To date, cord blood transplants have occurred using the newborn’s stem cells to treat the mother, a cousin, or the child themselves.

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Banking cord blood does not guarantee that the cells will provide a cure or be applicable for every situation. For inherited genetic conditions, the child will not be able to use his or her own stem cells. A matched sibling's stem cells would be the first choice. Ultimate use will be determined by the treating physician. Treatment for brain injury and juvenile diabetes is experimental and currently requires the use of your own cord blood. Medical treatments using family banked cord tissue are in early research and are not available today; there is no guarantee that therapies will be developed in the future.
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