A bank to save millions of lives

The cord blood is very useful to preserve. The blood in the umbilical cord is rich in stem cells. The importance of stem cells is that it regenerates the white blood cells. Hence, this blood is useful for several diseases. Mainly it is used bone marrow transplantation. The blood in the umbilical cord is rich in white blood cells and it renews the cell. Hence few recent researches have shown that if this blood can be preserved then it may be utilizes at a larger scale later. Though there has been few controversies regarding preserving the cord blood. The decision, which has been taken, is that once the blood is preserved, the usage of the same will depend on the parents or the donor. The parents will decide if the preserved umbilical cord blood will be used for their child or for someone else.

Once the parents decide to preserve the cord blood they need to inform the health centre before hand. Cryo cell is helping more than 215,000 patients throughout the world since 1992. The center preserves the cord blood for future needs. The role played by a Cord Blood Bank is significant. It is very important to collect the blood from the umbilical cord within 10 minutes of the birth. The cord blood is collected in a painless way. Earlier this blood was thrown away. Now researchers have shown that this cord blood can save millions of lives. It can cure diseases like cancer, anemia and many more. The Cord Blood Bank first collects the blood and tests for preservation. Once the test is done, it uses several chemicals for its preservation. The temperature at which the blood is stored is very crucial. A little too high or a little too less temperature has spoil the blood. As the idea to store the blood is very new, hence, it has been seen that the cord blood can be preserved for 15 years. In the coming years the number will surely increase. The various Cord Blood Banks was established since mid 1990s. The blood kept at the Cord Blood Bank is used for both public and private.

Public Cord Blood Bank uses the donated cord blood for all in need. On the other hand the private Cord Blood Bank preserves the cord blood only for private usage. The public Cord Blood Bank is supported by the medical communities. The public Cord Blood Bank follows a very strict protocol to donate the cord blood. Any parent to who wish to donate the umbilical cord blood of their child need to contact the Cord Blood Bank before the 34^th week of pregnancy. Once you donate the cord blood to a private bank, it is preserve in a way that it can be retrieved when required later. The cord blood is given to the donor of his/her family member, when in need. At least 75 ml of blood is collected to preserve the same for future need.