Cord Blood 101
What are Cord Blood Stem Cells?
When your baby is born, the cutting of his or her umbilical cord signifies the beginning of a new life. Typically, your umbilical cord and placenta are discarded as medical waste. Research has shown that the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta, contains valuable hematopoietic stem cells.
Unlike bone marrow or adult donor transplants, cord blood transplants do not require an exact blood match. In other words, cord blood provides a source of stem cells for those patients who struggle to find a match.
- Cord blood is blood from the umbilical vein that is left in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth.
- Cord blood provides a rich source of stem cells, similar to what is found in bone marrow.
- The stem cells in cord blood are not embryonic cells.
- Cord blood may be used to treat 80+ diseases.
- >95% of all cord blood is considered medical waste and then discarded.
Additionally, research scientists are exploring uses for life-saving cord blood stem cells in treatments for:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Autism
- Heart Disease and Stroke
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Lupus
- Cerebral Palsy
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Crohn's Disease
- Cartilage tears
- Thyroid diseases and many more conditions.
Mothers and families share inspiring stories and insights about their donation journey.
Nolana and Jabare McKinstry talk about their decision to donate cord blood to the Upstate Cord Blood Bank.
“What does it cost you? Some blood, some paperwork
and what’s the benefit? You could possibly save lives.”
—Nolana M., donor
Nicole Moore Jackson was the first mother to donate her baby's cord blood to our facility in Central New York!
"We are proud that our first act as a family was being
able to give back. So, we hope this encourages
many other families to do the same.”
—Nicole M., donor