Here Is Why Donating Cord Blood Is a Great Idea

The second most populated country in the world, India possesses great potential for newborn cord blood banking. Unfortunately, due to lack of awareness, the benefits of cord blood banking are not much known among people. In fact, many pediatricians and obstetricians who are approached by expecting parents regarding baby stem cell storage are found to lack enough knowledge regarding the benefits of stem cell banking.

Umbilical cord blood can be used to treat more than 80+ diseases and storing it can help the entire country. If you are an expectant parent then you should give cord blood donation a thought. Even if there is no one immediately in need of umbilical cord blood in your family, you must consider cord blood donation as it can benefit you and others in the future. Cord blood banking is the need of the hour.

In India, every minute 29 babies are born. Regrettably, an equal number of umbilical cord blood sources, which could have saved lives, are wasted. Therefore, it is important to reconsider newborn stem cell banking. Baby stem cell collection is a painless and safe procedure and does not affect the mother or the newborn in any way. However, stem cell preservation benefits not only your family but also others in the community and country. It can help someone who could not find matching umbilical cord blood or a bone marrow donor. Donated cord blood can also fulfill the immediate requirement for blood-forming stem cells.

Worldwide, there have been more than 50,000 unrelated and related donor stem cell transplants. This has proved the efficacy of umbilical cord blood transplant in cases where there has been a minimal mismatch between recipient and donor. Umbilical cord blood has also proved to be a good alternative for stem cells in comparison to bone marrow. It has proved efficient in treating thalassemia, leukemia, sickle cell diseases, and immune deficiency disorders.

In conclusion, newborn stem cell storage can benefit your family members if they need stem cell transplants in the future. It can also help others who may find a match. Donated cord blood can also advance medical research. Awareness must be created about cord blood donation and stem cell transplant treatments for the greater good of society.