SAN BRUNO, Calif., May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by
Cord Blood Registry:
Mother's Day is the day that we celebrate the relationship with our
mothers, and modern technology has brought that relationship one step further,
into something that may last forever. During the months of pregnancy, mother
and baby share something very unique -- the umbilical cord and placenta.
Through these two lifelines, mother and baby share nutrients and an immune
system.
After the umbilical cord has been cut, the biological foundation of that
shared immune system -- cells called "stem cells" -- is left over in the cord
and placenta and is usually thrown away. Now, thousands and thousands of
babies have this spare immune system frozen as a type of safeguard in case of
future disease or medical advancements. It is a new way that today's mom can
help protect her baby from potential future health threats. In addition, the
"spare immune system" for one child, may be useful if a sibling ever gets
sick.
"I paid the money and I hope that I never have to use it," says
Lisa Edwards, a new mom who banked her newborn's cord blood cells at the Cord
Blood Registry. "I hope I threw that money away, and I'm sure that's how most
parents feel."
Other moms are banking their newborn's cord blood because of the future
potential for tissue regeneration. Japanese researchers recently announced
that they had discovered a type of cell in cord blood that "grows" blood
vessels, indicating the possibility that heart patients may one day be able to
"grow" their own heart bypasses.
The relationship between mother and child is celebrated every year. When
Mother's Day was first "conceived," many were probably unaware of the level of
intrinsic biology that modern science has recently discovered. After all, we
are here today because of our moms. The choice to save cord blood strengthens
the special bond between mother and baby, especially for the children of the
future who may benefit from a birthing option that their mothers chose to take
advantage of when they were born.
Cord Blood Registry is the nation's largest family cord blood bank. Over
20,000 babies have their cord blood cells entrusted to the Registry.
Information regarding cord blood cell collection and banking is available on
the Internet at http://www.cordblood.com or through a toll-free number at
888-CORD-BLOOD (888-267-3256).
SOURCE Cord Blood Registry
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Related links:
http://www.cordblood.com
CONTACT:
Sam Yoo, Communications Coordinator of Cord
Blood Registry, 800-588-6377, ext. 239
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