Cord blood refers to the blood that remains in the umbilical cord after the birth of a baby. Traditionally, the cord is first clamped in two places and cut. The umbilical cord and the attached placenta are then typically discarded. However, unbeknownst to many, umbilical cord blood is actually rich in stem cells, which can help treat and cure many life-threatening illnesses. It represents a readily available source of stem cells without the ethical questions surrounding embryonic stem cells.

When transplanted in the body, stem cells can be used to regrow vital organs or tissues to replace diseased tissues. Cord blood has been used for treatment of cancers, such as leukaemia and Hodgkins lymphoma, and blood disorders, such as anaemia. There have also been dramatic reports of success in treatment of cerebral palsy with cord blood. Children who had difficulty in speech, learning and/or physical mobility, due to prenatal brain injury, reportedly showed miraculous progress after being infused with cord blood cells.

The first successful case of stem cell transplants can be traced back to 1988 when the stem cells from a newborn’s cord blood were used to treat her brother’s rare genetic disorder. Twenty years later, the boy has been enjoying good health thanks to his sister’s stem cells. Recent research also shows some success in combating Type 1 diabetes. Patients with Type 1 diabetes infused with cord blood showed a reduced need for insulin and improved control over blood sugar levels. The list of diseases that can be treated by cord blood stem cells continues to grow.