Science has proven that using the umbilical stem cell to promote the healing and treating of patients is safe and effective. In fact, a study done in 2005 by the Institute of Medicine declares that stem cells obtained from umbilical cord blood are a viable alternative to cells harvested from bone marrow.
Over the last half decade stem cells harvested from the blood of the umbilical cord have proven useful in treating a host of diseases and syndromes like leukemia, sickle cell anemia, myeloma and spinal cord injuries.
Research has also shown that the publicly donated umbilical cord stem cell supply is not yet ready to meet the ever increasing demands being made by medical professionals and their patients. This is because of two reasons. The biggest reason is that many people are still wary about the safety of cord cell donation. The other important reason for the shortage is that many families are choosing to store their umbilical cord blood in private banks. Private bank stores are only available to the family that harvested the blood. They cannot be used outside of familial ties.
Time has shown that harvesting, donating an accepting umbilical cord stem cell donations from those outside of a family tree are safe. In fact, even for patients who receive donations from non-relatives, the success rate o the stem cell transplant is higher than the success rate of stem cells harvested from bone marrow.
If you want to donate your baby’s umbilical cord blood, here is how to do it:
1. Make your decision early. You should start contacting both private and public blood banks a minimum of six weeks before your due date. This will give you time to locate a facility in your area that is accepting donations.
2. If you choose to store your umbilical cord stem cells in a private bank, the facility will send you a collection kit that your doctor can use to collect the blood. Private banks usually charge a hefty fee for this collection and storage. Public donation, on the other hand, is usually free for the donor.
3. Complete the health questionnaire and screening process. Usually, in addition to filling out a full medical history, the mother will have to have her blood tested for diseases like HIV and Hepatitis.
4. Make sure that your OB/GYN and your birthing team know about your plans for donations before you get to the hospital on your delivery day. This way they can prepare to harvest the umbilical cord stem cell supply immediately after the cord is cut.
5. Once the blood has been donated, the medical team will most often make sure it gets to where it needs to go. If you are donating to a private bank, make sure you understand exactly how the collection and storage process is supposed to happen.
