BLOOD BANKING

Cord blood banking is now possible for expectant parents. They are able to collect and preserve stem cells from their child's umbilical cord tissue, sometimes called Wharton's jelly. Blood banking of cord blood offers a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) that can differentiate to form the entire range and lineage of blood cells. Umbilical cord tissue is also a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) which can differentiate to build bone and cartilage as well as connective tissue. These cells are also very effective at regulating the inflammatory response in the body to injured or damaged cells... Cord blood is stored frozen cryogenically. Studies have shown that cord blood can be stored this way indefinitely and still be viable even years down the road. If the child ever needs blood or generalized stem cells for medical reasons, the banked cord blood can offer many health benefits... Information about cord blood and how w it is used.