Cord Blood Donation resource for parents looking to save lives

Cord Blood Donation resource for parents looking to save lives

This release highlights the creation of http://bloodbanker. com/cord, and identifies the value of the site to expectant parents. It showcases the directory of cord blood centers, and also provides information on what cord blood is and how it can help others in need.

(PRWEB) September 21, 2004

US-based company, BloodBanker. Com, is helping to raise awareness of the values of cord blood banking through the creation of an information-packed website: www. bloodbanker. com/cord/ (http://www. bloodbanker. com/cord/ ).

The site is designed for expectant parents that wish to give others a chance of life through donating or storing the cord blood that would otherwise be discarded following their babyÂ’s birth. Parents will be able to access a comprehensive directory of cord blood banks around the United States, as well as benefit from information and advice.

“Our site will act as a valuable resource for expectant parents that want to help save lives in the future,” stated Philip Michaels, CEO of BloodBanker. com. “As well as offering important advice on cord blood donations, we have provided a detailed directory of cord blood banks around the US – a resource that was not available online until now.”

Cord blood is the blood found in the umbilical cord and placenta following the birth of a baby. This blood is rich in young stem cells, which can be used to successfully treat a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions. Normally, the umbilical cord and placenta are discarded following the birth of a baby, and the valuable cord blood goes to waste. However, more and more parents are becoming aware of the importance of banking this blood.

The stem cells in cord blood can be frozen and used to treat a variety of diseases. Stem cells are normally found within the bone marrow, but those in need of a bone marrow transplant have to wait for a perfect match to come along, and even if they find a suitable match there is a high risk of rejection. Cord blood stem cells do not have to be a perfect match, and run a far smaller risk of rejection.

Cord blood can also be banked for exclusive use by the family of the baby. The chances of success are greatly increased for a person being treated with their own or a family memberÂ’s cord blood stem cells. Therefore, many parents see the banking of their babyÂ’s cord blood as a health insurance plan for the future of their baby and other family members. Should the need arise, the cord blood can be taken out of storage and used to treat one of a number of diseases.

Medical research is still ongoing in to the positive effects of cord blood as a medical treatment, but results so far indicate that treatment through cord blood stem cells could be the way forward in the world of medical treatment. This method has already been used to treat a variety of conditions, including some cancers, immunodeficiency disease and metabolism abnormalities. It is thought that cord blood will become a valuable option for many other diseases and conditions in the future.

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