Cord Blood Banks

Programs that acquire, process, test and store donated umbilical cord blood, i.e., the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth and the cutting of the cord. Cord blood stem cells can be used as an alternative to bone marrow to treat leukemia, lymphoma, severe aplastic anemia, other lethal diseases of the blood or immune system and certain inherited metabolic diseases; and may be the last viable option for people who need a bone marrow transplant and are unable to find a donor. Donated cord blood may also be sold for research. Some banks also allow families to store cord blood of a newborn in situations where a sibling may need a transplant.