Cord Blood Awareness Month: Why More Parents Are Choosing to Store Their Baby’s Stem Cells

Every July, healthcare organisations, researchers and stem cell specialists recognise Cord Blood Awareness Month—an opportunity to educate expectant parents about the remarkable medical potential of umbilical cord blood and cord tissue.

For many parents, the umbilical cord is simply discarded after birth. However, it contains a rich source of stem cells that are already transforming lives today and may play an even greater role in tomorrow’s medicine.

Whether you’re expecting your first baby or adding to your family, understanding your options before birth can help you make an informed decision.

What is cord blood?

Cord blood is the blood that remains inside the umbilical cord and placenta after your baby is born.

It contains haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are responsible for producing healthy blood and immune cells throughout life.

Unlike embryonic stem cells, cord blood stem cells are collected safely after birth without harming either mother or baby.

Today, these stem cells are used worldwide in the treatment of more than 80 serious diseases, including:

• Leukaemia
• Lymphoma
• Aplastic anaemia
• Sickle cell disease
• Thalassaemia
• Certain immune deficiencies

What about cord tissue?

The umbilical cord itself also contains another valuable type of stem cell called mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs).

Scientists are investigating MSCs in hundreds of clinical trials for conditions including:

• Osteoarthritis
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Autism
• Cerebral palsy
• Type 1 diabetes
• Spinal cord injury

Although many of these treatments remain under investigation, the pace of regenerative medicine continues to accelerate.

Why can stem cells only be collected once?

One of the unique aspects of cord blood banking is timing.

Stem cells can only be collected immediately after birth.

Once the umbilical cord has been discarded, this opportunity is gone forever.

That is why parents are encouraged to consider their options before their baby’s due date.

Public or private cord blood banking?

Parents generally have two options.

Public donation

Cord blood is donated anonymously and may help another patient requiring a stem cell transplant.

There is no guarantee it will be available for your own family in the future.

Public donation is also only available at selected hospitals.

Private banking

Your baby’s stem cells are stored exclusively for your family.

This means they remain immediately available should they ever be required by your child or, in some circumstances, another family member.

Many parents choose private banking because it provides certainty at a time when donor matching may be difficult.

Learn more: https://www.smartcells.com/public-vs-private-cord-blood-banking/

Why donor matching isn’t always straightforward

Finding a suitable stem cell donor depends on matching tissue types (HLA).

Patients from mixed-race and ethnic minority backgrounds often face greater challenges because donor registries are less diverse.

For these families, privately storing their baby’s stem cells may provide valuable reassurance.

The future of regenerative medicine

Hardly a month passes without new research highlighting another potential application for stem cells.

Recent studies have explored:

• Vision restoration in age-related macular degeneration
• Cartilage repair using cord tissue stem cells
• Expanded cord blood transplantation for severe aplastic anaemia
• Cerebral palsy
• Autism

While not every therapy is available today, these advances demonstrate how quickly stem cell science continues to evolve.

Why choose Smart Cells?

Smart Cells was the UK’s first private stem cell bank and is now part of the FamiCord Group, recognised by Life Sciences Review as Europe’s Leading Stem Cell Bank.

Families choosing Smart Cells benefit from:

• HTA-licensed laboratory
• Part of Europe’s largest stem cell banking network
• More released samples for treatment than any other UK private bank
• Nationwide collection service
• Cord blood and cord tissue storage
• Partnership with LMRUK, helping eligible families access financial support

Is cord blood banking right for you?

Every family’s circumstances are different.

Some parents choose public donation.

Others prefer the reassurance of knowing their baby’s stem cells are preserved exclusively for their family.

Cord Blood Awareness Month is the perfect opportunity to explore your options, ask questions and make an informed decision before your baby’s arrival.

If you’d like to learn more, download our free guide to cord blood and cord tissue banking or speak to one of our specialists.