Gift of Life.

Until recently, one of the least significant products of birth has been the umbilical cord. Now research has shown that what was once worthless has become priceless to many patients facing life-threatening diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma. The blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born, "cord blood," is a rich source of stem cells, the same type of cells found in bone marrow. In over 300 transplants, cord blood has proven to be a safe and effective alternative to bone marrow for treating a variety of cancers and blood disorders.

Some of the advantages of using cord blood over bone marrow are that the cord blood stem cells cause less rejection and require less strict matching for donor and recipient. Cord blood does not require painful and costly "search and harvesting" as with bone marrow. In fact, cord blood can be collected and banked for future use, thereby reducing the need for donor searches.

Currently in the United States, one-half of the patients searching for a bone marrow donor die while they are waiting. Having cord blood available immediately will help patients get treated earlier for their disease and may give the patient the best odds for survival or cure.

This scientific advancement has also provided a new option for expectant parents: the opportunity to collect and family bank their newborns' cord blood as a type of "biological insurance" in case of future medical need. The blood is collected in a two- to five-minute procedure following the cutting of the umbilical cord and shipped to a lab for processing and freezing. The cord blood is an exact match for the newborn and may be used to treat other family members as well. "Thousands of parents are choosing this new form of protection," states Sherry Turney, a childbirth educator and Maternal/Child Education Coordinator for the Cord Blood Registry. "The most important thing is that mothers are made aware of this new birth option."

Cord blood proponents are quick to point out the benefits of family banking, particularly if the family has a history of cancer, immune systems disorders, or indicated treatment need. The families have the opportunity to proactively prepare, so if the need arises, immediate treatment with the best prognosis is available. Medical researchers also report that cord blood stem cells may one day provide treatments for other diseases such as diabetes and AIDS. As part of Cord Blood Registry's commitment to this new and promising field of science, they are a founding member of the International Cord Blood Foundation, a nonprofit organization. The Registry donates a substantial amount of support to the Foundation in order to help bolster advances in research and treatments. Parents wishing to apply to donate their cord blood must contact the International Cord Blood Foundation at least sixty days prior to their delivery date (if they do not want to privately store) in the hope that the cord blood might provide a match for some needy patient. There are fees for family banking but donation is free.

To assist in more effective use of the childbirth educator, physician, or midwife's time in providing information to clients, a Patient Education Program is available at no cost. It provides information through patient literature, a videotape lending library, and a toll-free education hotline to answer questions.

For more information on private storage of cord blood or donation, call 1-888-CORD-BLOOD Ext. 509.

On the Internet: www.cordblood.com [e-mail]

--Dina Aurichio is an A LAC E trained Certified Childbirth Educator and Certified Labor Assistant from Goose Creek, South Carolina.