Cord Blood Stem Cells Information

How many people store Cord Blood Stem Cells?

We are thinking of storing our expectant childs stem cells from their cord blood. Does anyone know who prevalent this is, I live in Europe but any numbers for America, Australia etc. would help. I have read quite a bit about it but usually from companies in the market so I am looking to see if there is some credibility to this by seeing how many people do it?

Public Comments

1. I recieve4d one booklet about stem cells when I was pregnant but no one really even asked me if I was going to donate them and to be honest I dont even know anything about it.. The only thinbg after I had my son my hairdresser told me she donated her babys stem cells and told m\e I shouldve done it
2. Its actually incredably expensive compared to the chances that your child will need it. And there is only a 25% chance that siblings match hla tissue type, and 1 in 8 that a person will match a parent or child. Most people actually donate the cord blood where, in the US, it goes into a public cord blood bank and into the National Marrow Donor's Program registry. Cord blood is used in stem cell transplants (bone marrow transplants) the same way actual marrow or peripheral blood stem cells would be. Problem is that one unit of cord blood is generally only going to be enough cells for a small child. I used cord blood for my transplant last summer, but I had to use 2 different units. Cord blood also does not have to be matched near as close, which is what gives the ability to use 2 units. http://www.marrow.org is the US Marrow Donors Program and registry. It will give you info on how cord blood can be used in stem cell transplants, how to bank, and how to donate. They also have links to other countries, and should have links to your country. If not search 'your country marrow registry'