If you haven’t already read about stem cells in the papers, or on-line, then we’re very surprised!

There has been much recent debate about the use of embryonic stem cells and indeed a controversial vote in parliament will soon pass (or not) the new embryology Bill.

However, there is a whole different story behind what you read on the popular news sites and in the tabloids.  Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells (UCB).

After the third stage of labour, when your baby has been born and the placenta has been delivered, the umbilical cord is cut and your baby will be given to you and your partner to hold for the first time.   The placenta, meanwhile, is usually thrown away and destroyed as clinical waste.

However, the blood still contained in the umbilical cord and placenta are one of the richest sources of completely ‘naïve’ stem cells.  These cells can, with the right stimuli, transform into many other cell types found in the human body.  Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells.  When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell, or become another type of cell with a more specialised function such as a muscle cell, red blood cell, or even a brain cell.

It’s for this reason that many parents are now choosing to save their children’s cord blood to potentially treat or prevent injury, disease and other medical conditions both now and in the future.

Research is underway at the moment into treatment of a variety of medical conditions including heart disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Huntingdon disease and diabetes.  And all have shown positive results.

Initial research using UCB cells has shown potential use in treating over 70 medical conditions!

We have set out below a link to one of the Country’s leading UCB banking companies, based in Brighton – Cells4Life.    Founded in 2002 by two Doctors who wanted to save their own children’s cord blood, it is the only company in the UK and Ireland licensed to store whole blood from the umbilical cord.