Umbilical cord blood
What is umbilical cord blood?
Umbilical cord blood is the small amount of blood left in the umbilical cord after delivery. It is a rich source of blood-forming stem cells. While there are many types of cells, most cells can only make copies of themselves. Stem cells are different because they are able to form a variety of different types of cells. Blood stem cells (as found in umbilical cord blood) can become red blood cells, white blood cells, and clotting cells.
Why save umbilical cord blood?
The stem cells found in umbilical cord blood can be used in the treatment of blood disorders including:
- Leukemia (cancer of blood-forming tissues)
- Lymphoma (cancer of the immune system)
- Aplastic anemia (when not enough new blood cells are being formed)
- Adrenoleukodystrophy (a genetic disorder affecting nerves)
- Krabbe’s disease (a rare disorder of the nervous system)
- Sickle-cell anemia (a disorder of red blood cells)
Scientists are working on using stem cells to treat some diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, among others.
Umbilical cord blood can be banked and saved for your own child or a close relative later in life, should the need arise. This would be done through a private blood bank and can be expensive (approximately $1200 processing fee, annual $100 storage fee). The chance that you or any family member will benefit from the use of banked blood is low. Umbilical cord can also be donated free of charge, through Canadian Blood Services. This, like blood donations, is a public good. This opportunity is not yet available in all provinces.
For donor eligibility and registration visit blood.ca/cordblood.