Blood from the umbilical cord and placenta is unique because it contains a relatively large number of blood-forming cells. These cells may save the life of a person who has a disease such as leukemia or lymphoma or certain immune system or genetic metabolic disorders. A bone marrow or cord blood transplant (also called a BMT) replaces a patient's diseased cells with healthy cells.
The umbilical cord is routinely discarded after the baby is born — unless the parents choose otherwise. Today, expectant parents may choose to have the blood remaining in the umbilical cord and placenta collected and:
- Donated to a public cord blood bank. Cord blood donated to a public cord blood bank is available to patients who need a transplant. The donation process is free to the parents donating the umbilical cord blood. Today, however, only certain hospitals are able to collect umbilical cord blood for storage in public cord blood banks. Learn about Donating Umbilical Cord Blood.
- Stored in a family (private) cord blood bank. Cord blood stored in a family cord blood bank is saved for that family. Family cord blood banks are available throughout the country for anyone who chooses to pay for the collection and storage of the umbilical cord blood. If you are considering family banking, contact a family cord blood bank as soon as possible.
- Saved for a family member who has a medical need. When a biological sibling or parent has a disease that may be treated with a bone marrow or cord blood transplant, parents can choose to save their baby’s cord blood for directed donation. Collecting and storing cord blood for directed donation is offered at little or no cost through many public and family cord blood banks, if it is medically indicated. Learn about the Related Donor Cord Blood Program (not a U.S. Government Web site).
- Used for research studies by a laboratory or technology company. These studies help improve the transplant process for future patients or may lead to new therapies using cord blood. (This cord blood is not stored for transplant.) The collection process for research is free. Talk with your doctor to determine if this option is available to you.
If you are an expectant parent, talk with your health care provider about the options that may be available to you. By making an informed decision, you can take steps to have the umbilical cord blood collected and possibly give someone another chance at life.
