MYTH 1 ‘If I need a stem cell transplant in the future, I can get cells from a public bank’

‘Cord Blood Collection takes important blood away from my baby’

MYTH 3 ‘Transplant doctors would rarely use the baby’s own stem cells to treat disease’

MYTH 4 ‘The chances of my family ever needing a cord blood sample are very low’

If the patient’s own cells (autologous) are not available

for use, stem cells from a sibling or a family relative are

usually considered the best option. In fact, a study

published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed

that the one year survival rate for patient’s treated with a

sibling’s cord blood is 63%. Using cord blood from an

unrelated donor, the survival rate drops to 29%.

Additionally, the use of unrelated cord blood can put the

patient at a much greater risk of the fatal Graft Versus

One of the biggest advantages of cord blood banking is

that it should not interfere in the birth of your baby in any

way! Cord blood is normally discarded after the delivery

of your baby. The one and only change when you decide

to have your child’s Cord Blood and/or Cord Tissue

One can use their own cord blood stem cells (Autologous

transplant) to treat diseases that have non-genetic cause

or that are environmentally-triggered (i.e. acute myeloid

leukemia, many forms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, myeloma,

solid tumors and autoimmune diseases such as MS and

Crohn’s disease). Autologous cord blood transplants

have been used to treat neuroblastoma, aplastic anemia

and lymphoblastic leukemia. In addition, a person can

use their own cord blood cells to reconstitute the bone

marrow after chemotherapy treatment of a non-blood

related cancer.

Considering that the cause of most cancers is unknown and

that the science of stem cell therapy is expanding rapidly, it

is difficult to accurately calculate the odds that a family will

use the cord blood or benefit from new treatments.

However, according to medical research, the odds that a

child will someday need to use his or her own newborn

stem cells for current treatments are estimated at 1 in 400*.

Odds that the newborn or a family member may benefit

FOUR COMMON MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CORD BLOOD BANKING

* Pasquini MC, Logan BR, Verter F, et al. The Likelihood of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HCT) in the United

States: Implications for Umbilical Cord Blood Storage. Blood. 2005;106(11)”What was a discard has become

valuable-indeed priceless to many children with leukemia, and perhaps in the future to children with AIDS and

autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.”- Science, Vol. 268, May 12, 1995.

The decision of whether or not to save your newborn

baby’s cord blood stem cells can sometimes be a

confusing and overwhelming one for parents. But

choosing to save your baby’s stem cells at the time of

birth can be a life-changing one.

We at Cells4Life have put together some information for

you on some of the common myths and misconceptions

concerning cord blood banking, which we hope will

provide you with much needed information while you

make your decision

Host Disease, 20% versus 5%.

Related cord blood also reduces the risk that the

transplant sample may harbor genetic problems that

could cause disease in the recipient because the family

will know the genetic history. There is no guarantee that

there will be a stem cell available in a public bank in the

future, and searching for a suitable genetic match can be

a time-consuming and may not necessarily be the BEST

match for the patient.

collected is that after the birth, the blood and tissue is

collected rather than thrown away. Collection is only done

after the safe delivery. Even if you want to delay clamping

the umbilical cord, you can still collect the cord blood.

Cord blood use in regenerative medicine is also

beginning to move from the lab to the bedside. Two

clinical trials occurring right now involve using one’s own

cord blood to treat Cerebral Palsy and Type 1 Diabetes.

Family banks provide an important service in this

respect. The children who have stored samples are able

to participate in the clinical trials. Additional clinical

research is showing promising results when using one’s

own stem cells in the treatment of conditions such as

heart and stroke, ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and

spinal cord injuries.

from banked cord blood are estimated at 1 in 200*.

These odds do not include the emerging and potential

use of newborn stem cells to treat heart disease,

diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and spinal cord

injury. The continued progress in medical treatments

would greatly increase the likelihood of use by your baby

throughout her life. Based on current data, there is no

“expiration date” for newborn stem cells.

MYTH 2