Storage Of Stem Cells In a Cord Blood Registry
Importance of cord blood registry has led to the establishment of many cord blood banks in the US, Canada, UK and other countries. Effectiveness of using cord blood stem cells for treatment of numerous diseases is the reasons why many people are opting to store the cord blood of their newborn babies in cord blood registries also known as cord blood banks.
Uses of umbilical stem cells have been proved highly effective in curing blood disorders of child or other members of the family, which earlier required bone marrow transplants. Blood cells in umbilical cords of the newborn can match genetic cells of the siblings and parents up to 25%. Hence, cord blood registry and its uses in treating those who match such cells bring extremely positive outcomes. Moreover, cord blood cells transplants reduce the worst drawbacks of organ transplant treatments, that is, graft versus host reaction, which may even lead patients to succumb to death. Hence, cord blood collection is regarded as a way of insuring your entire family’s lives to combat major ailments.
According to an estimate, around 72,000 babies are born in India daily. Therefore, 72,000 umbilical blood cords if not banked are going to the trash bin despite their phenomenal healing potential. So, expectant couples are advised to consider cord blood banking to safeguard their future.
Protecting cord blood in this manner, reducing errors in data collection with the XpressTrak system, and producing higher volumes of MNC’s means recipients receive the best possible blood and plasma available for life-threatening conditions, such as leukemia.
CBR’s network of cord blood banks is located worldwide, and doctors can locate cord blood units both within the United States, and abroad, such as Australia, Germany, Mexico, and Switzerland. CBR also maintains cooperative relationships with The National Marrow Donor Program, in hopes that more lives can be saved by the use of cord blood and the research being done to fight diseases that know no boundaries.
During processing of cells, red blood cells are separated by some of the banks. However, some banks retain these cells as well. After separation, cells undergo screening process to determine bacterial and viral contamination, sterility, quantity of the cells in samples and viability of the cells for future treatments. The cord blood banks charge annual fees to allow donors to use their storage facilities for cord blood preservation. The annual fees for the cryogenic storing facility are generally charged at the end of each year.
Following the FDA’s and other authorities’ approval in transfusing cord blood cells in the late 1980s, thousands of umbilical cord blood cell transplants have taken place in the US and have cured many children and adults suffering from various blood related and genetic diseases.
