Is Cord Blood Banking Worth It?

We are past the time when the use of cord blood stem cells was considered experimental.  We now have years of research, testing, and results to show that these amazing cells are not only the building blocks of who we are, but also a key resource for preserving our health when things go wrong. There are now close to eighty diseases treatable with cord blood stem cells and the list looks likely to grow quickly with the realization that cord blood stem cells are not just capable of converting themselves into any of the many tissues that make-up the human body but also seem to manipulate our immune systems in ways that allow our bodies to heal more fully. 

It is frequently true that the greatest inventions and discoveries are the simplest and most obvious. Yet, it is still stunning to realize that since the dawn of time, we have simply discarded umblical cord stem cells in the trash after our babies were born. Brilliant scientists; fascinating philosophers; and inventors of all kinds have watched their children come into this world and until thirty years ago, never looked closely enough at the contents of the placenta and umbilical cord to recognize that they were rich in the building blocks of life. They did not realize that much of what the medical world had only dreamed about was sitting in front of them with every birth.

It is perhaps even more stunning to note that the vast majority of new parents are still missing the boat. Most parents are still not storing umbilical cord stem cells. People are standing in line to buy Ipads and concert tickets. They are glued to the television to get the lastest gossip on the next big scandal. Yet, people are for the most part maintaining blissful ignorance about taking advantage of what is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Of the many responsibilities that fall on expectant parents, learning enough about cord blood stem cell storage is one of the most important tasks that must be accomplished. It is easy to get information on the pros and cons of cord stem cell storage. It is easy to compare cord blood prices. It is easy to compare cord blood banks. The time is "now" to educate yourself on the benefits of cord blood storage.