Public Cord Blood Donation
Traditionally, umbilical cords were disposed of after mothers gave birth because they were thought to be of no use. Today, however, with the advances in stem cell research, it has been found that the umbilical cord is a rich source of stem cells, contained in the cord blood inside the umbilical cord. The cord blood in the umbilical cord can be a treatment or cure for life-threatening diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma. Through a public cord blood donation, you may just save someone's life.
Reasons to donate cord blood
Public cord blood donation through public cord blood banks is one way to help further the research in various life-threatening illnesses like multiple sclerosis and immune system and blood diseases. There are numerous studies being done that explore the potentiality of stem cells from cord blood to cure various immune system diseases like cancer. Public cord blood donation also helps the families who are in need of the current treatments that only cord blood can provide. Bone marrow transplant is an example of the successful uses of cord blood.
The possibility of a more diverse stem cell match can be realized if only more people would consider making a public cord blood donation. Currently, some ethnic and racial groups are having a hard time looking for a match because of the limitations in donations and availability of blood cords. These racial groups include the Hawaiians, Native Americans, Canadians, Alaskans, Blacks or African Americans, Asians, Hispanics or Latinos, Pacific Islanders, and multiple race individuals. Public cord blood donation will be a big help in diversifying and expanding the pool of available cord blood. It will be most especially helpful for someone who is having a hard time in looking for a stem cell match. Currently, there is a bill being passed called the Cord Blood Stem Cell Act that aims to open more public cord blood banks around the country. If this bill is approved, then it will also encourage more donations, so that any public cord blood donation will directly help the donor's community.
Ownership of donated cord blood
Once cord blood is donated to a public cord blood bank, the donor loses ownership over the cord blood. It is rare that a child will need his own cord blood in the future. This case has a 0.4 percent chance of happening unless there is a genetic likelihood or probability. Should you need your child's cord blood in special cases, you have first priority on it. That is, if the cord blood has not yet been utilized. Public cord donation has a registry to map out ownership and matches. However, this is strictly confidential and matters that involve re-ownership differs from bank to bank, so it is important to understand the bank's policies before donating.