More than 30,000 people every year are diagnosed with cancer and
diseases that may benefit from cord blood donations. Umbilical
cord blood, once considered as medical waste, is now recognized
as a rich source of stem cells used in research and the
treatment of several pediatric blood diseases, sickle cell
anemia, and cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Cord blood donation allows doctors to preserve these life-saving
stem cells for treating people with diseases which may benefit
from it as well as research for future cures and treatments.
Donating cord blood is 100% safe, simple and is not harmful to
either you or your baby.
In order to qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 and in good health
- Complete a consent form & family health history form
- Give a small blood sample to screen for diseases
All of these steps need to be completed before your baby is
born, preferably before your 34th week of pregnancy, so it is
good to make arrangements early. Once your baby is born, the
umbilical cord blood is collected, tested and stored in the cord
blood bank. It is then entered into a database where doctors can
search and locate a match for patients who may benefit from the
cord blood.
Private cord blood banking is another option for people who
either cannot find a donation center in their area, or want to
keep the cord blood for their own personal use. Private cord
blood banks allow you to store cord blood for a fee in the event
your child or someone in your family may need a stem cell
transplant in the future. You will have to pay enrollment and
collection fees, plus annual storage fees. Costs vary depending
on which private cord blood bank you choose. Private cord blood
banking is like having extra insurance on the biological level.
Whether you choose public cord blood donation or private cord
blood banking is a personal decision. An excellent source of
information about cord blood banks and options can be found at:
http://www.parentsguidecordblood.com
About the author:
Carole Nickerson has been a writer and web developer since 1998,
writing articles and content on various topics of interest and
from personal experience for magzines, the web and other
publications. For more information on Cord Blood Banks &
Donating, visit:
http://www.readerpoint.com/a/donate-cord-blood-banks-banking.html
