Facts about Umbilical Blood

Any expectant parents interested in saving or donating their baby's umbilical cord blood must make arrangements prior to the birth of their child - generally by the 34th week of pregnancy.

Umbilical Cord Blood has been used to treat over 50 diseases and counting.

98% of expectant parents don't know about collecting their child's umbilical cord blood until after their baby has been born and its too late.

The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 earmarked $79 million to start the National Cord Blood Stem Cell Banking Program in an effort to collect more diverse donations of umbilical cord blood for transplantation.

Research has shown the stem cells found in umbilical cord blood may have the potential to treat diseases such as heart disease, spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy and diabeties as well as many other often debilitating illnesses.

Collection of umbilical cord blood is a non invasive procedure which is generally done after delivery and should not compromise the birth or bonding process.

Umbilical cord blood can be stored indefinitely in a liquid nitrogen tank where it is held at a temperature of -196C.