13/10/2012
What Makes Cord Blood Stem Cells So Valuable?
Stem cells are the body's building blocks for organ tissue, blood, and the immune system. Doctors started using cord blood stem cells more than 20 years ago to treat diseases that previously had been treated with bone marrow.34 Today, the primary type of stem cells in umbilical cord blood – called hematopoietic - help treat many serious illnesses and disorders. Cord blood stem cells can only be collected at birth, so it is important to make your banking decision well before your due date.
Cord Blood Stem Cells, in Particular, Are:
Smart: They "know" how to find injured cells and tissue in the body and initiate a healing process.
Powerful: The primary type of stem cells in cord blood can cure many life-threatening illnesses. These stem cells and a different kind found in cord tissue may also be able to treat serious injuries.
Unique: Your baby's one-of-a-kind umbilical cord stem cells have unique advantages over the adult stem cells found in bone marrow. They're younger, more versatile, and have not been exposed to environmental factors.
