| Q |
Why Should I Preserve My Baby's Cord Blood? |
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| A |
During pregnancy, the umbilical cord is the lifeline
between mother and baby. Once the umbilical cord is discarded after your
baby's birth, you lose the chance to preserve the precious cells it
contains that are an exact match for your child. By preserving your
baby's stem cells, he or she will have a guaranteed source of perfectly
matched cells in the event a life threatening illness develops and the
cells need to be used to combat the disease.
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| Q |
What Is The Difference Between A Stem Cell
Transplant And Bone Marrow Transplant? |
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| A |
Until now, the most common way to transfer stem cells
from one person to another has been through bone marrow transplantation,
which is a complex and risky procedure. Cord blood- a richer source of
stem cells than bone marrow- eliminates many of the problems associated
with bone marrow transplants should your child or other family member
ever need such a treatment in their lifetime. With your child's own cord
blood stem cells readily available, you do not have to look for a
suitable match for your child, a painful bone marrow extraction
procedure will not be necessary, and the transplant may not be rejected.
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| Q |
What Diseases Can Be Treated/Cured Through
The Transplantation Of Stem Cells? |
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| A |
Stem cells are used today in the treatment of leukemia,
breast cancer, lymphoma, Hodgkin's Disease, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell
Anemia, various other cancers, blood diseases, hereditary/genetic
conditions and immune system disorders. There are approximately 1.4
million new cancer cases each year. As stem cell transplants become
routine, they may be used to fight lung cancer, Multiple Sclerosis,
Lupus, AIDS and many genetic diseases.
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| Q |
If There Is A Family History Of Disease, Such
As Leukemia, Would It Be In The Newborn's Genes? If So, Would Stem Cell
Transplantation From The Cord Blood Still Be An Effective Way To Treat
The Disease? |
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| A |
Leukemia is not present at the beginning of life, but is
developed by mutation or change in normal genes later in life. Stem
cells in cord blood are "pure" cells, and are collected before any
changes have occurred in their genetic make-up. In the case of other
types of cancers (e.g. solid tumors), stem cells are not involved and
can be used for transplantation.
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| Q |
Can The Baby's Stem Cells Be Used For A
Sibling? Can They Also Be Used For A Relative Or Friend? |
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| A |
Stem cells from a baby are a perfect match only for the
baby or for an identical twin, and may be a close match for a sibling
(1:4 chance). They can be used for a relative or friend if their cells
closely match the baby's cells.
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| Q |
How Long Can These Cells Be Stored And Still
Be Usable? |
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| A |
Research suggests that stem cells can last indefinitely.
If you choose to save your baby's cells, they will be uniquely labeled
and released only to you or to your child after he or she turns 18 years
old. |
