In recent years, researchers have discovered the powerful medicinal abilities of umbilical cord stem cells. These stem cells has a unique ability to create the various components found within blood, which can help regenerate damaged or diseased tissue. A number of new medical treatments have been developed thanks to these stem cells from umbilical cord.
Current and Future Uses of Umbilical Cord Stem Cells
Stem cells from umbilical cord are already being used to treat more than 80 diseases (Moise, 2005). Some of the medical conditions that are currently treated with these cord blood stem cells include:
- Leukaemia and various blood disorders like Fanconi anaemia
- Bone marrow disorders
- Various forms of cancer
- Immune system deficiencies
Researchers are currently examining dozens of potential treatments which make use of stem cells from umbilical cord. Because these stem cells have such a powerful regenerative ability, the potential applications for their use are widespread and include:
- Treating heart disease and regenerating heart tissue
- Helping treat strokes
- Regenerating burnt skin tissue
- Treating cerebral palsy
- Treating traumatic brain injuries
- Treating Parkinson’s disease
- Muscular dystrophy
Learn more about the types of umbilical cord stem cells and potential treatments
The Importance of Saving the Umbilical Cord
Because of the well-demonstrated healing ability of the stem cells from umbilical cord, parents are increasingly interested in umbilical cord blood banking. Preserving your child’s cord blood could literally save your child’s life if they run into any of the medical conditions listed above.
The ongoing research also opens up hundreds of potential future applications for stem cells from umbilical cord. They could be used by your child to recover from an accident, to fight cancer or to beat many other illnesses.
By preserving your child’s umbilical cord blood, you are also saving the stem cells which are a perfect genetic match for your child. Your child has the best chance of maintaining their health into the future if they have their own umbilical cord stem cells available.
What is Umbilical Cord Blood Banking?
Cord blood banking is the process of saving the blood (and tissue) of the umbilical cord and the stem cells it contains. The blood is cryogenically preserved and remains viable for many decades, ready to treat any medical problems that occur with your child or close family.
There are a wide range of payment plans which make umbilical cord blood banking very affordable. Learn more about saving the umbilical cord of your baby here
Success Stories
Connor Gordon
Connor Gordon was a happy 7th grader who was suddenly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. He went through a number of rounds of chemotherapy, enduring horrible side effects. Doctors had hoped to give Conor a bone marrow transplant, but no suitable donor match was available.
Eventually Connor went into remission and thought he was free of cancer. Just over a year later, the leukaemia had returned. The doctors decided that the next step was an umbilical cord blood transplant. It worked and 5 years after his initial diagnosis, Connor is happily cancer-free!
David Pyne
David Pyne was given just 18 months to live by doctors in Manchester, UK. Chemotherapy had failed to work for the 60 year old and doctors were looking at alternative treatments. Luckily for David, umbilical cord stem cells were available from France and the United States. The treatment helped regenerate David’s bone marrow and he is currently in remission.
Read more umbilical stem cell transplant success stories
Source: Moise, K. (2005). Umbilical Stem Cells. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 106(6), 1393-1407. doi:10.1097/01.aog.0000188388.84901.e4