When cord blood saved a life — and why that matters for every newborn

Recently, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) published the moving story of a teenager whose life was saved thanks to a blood donation made from a newborn baby’s birth 12 years earlier. That vial of donated cord blood, collected from umbilical cord, ultimately provided a life-saving transplant. The teenager is now healthy and studying. it is a powerful testament to the real-world impact stem-cell banking can have.

“I still find it crazy how this small vial saved my life”

This story is inspiring. But it also highlights a crucial truth: not every patient is this lucky. For many who need a stem-cell transplant, finding a matching donor, related or unrelated, remains a significant challenge.

The reality: donor matches are rare

While cord blood and tissue donations from public banks help some patients, many people who need transplants cannot find a suitable match. Even when matched donors are registered, availability, timing, or compatibility can pose obstacles.

That’s why for parents, storing your baby’s cord blood and tissue at birth — through a private bank like Smart Cells — offers a guaranteed, personal source of stem cells, potentially accessible if ever needed.

Why storing cord blood and tissue matters now more than ever

• Availability: A private bank preserves the stem cells for decades — giving your child and family access to this resource if ever needed.
• Cord blood is a viable source of stem cells: Stem cells in cord blood are medically useful for a variety of treatments — especially for blood, immune, and genetic disorders.
• Convenience and certainty: Having a personal banked unit ensures you don’t rely on finding a matched donor — a process that can be uncertain or prolonged.
• Growing potential of regenerative medicine: As research advances, cord tissue (in addition to cord blood) may unlock treatments for a wider range of conditions, including regenerative therapies under development today.

Affordable options — thanks to smart partnerships

We understand that cost can be a concern. That’s why Smart Cells is pleased to partner with Leukaemia & Myeloma Research UK (LMRUK) — making stem cell banking more accessible for families who might otherwise find it financially challenging. If a public donation isn’t an option or a matched donor cannot be found, our services ensure you still have a reliable backup. Learn more about the partnerships: https://www.smartcells.com/partnership-with-lmruk/

For expectant parents: The story from MFT is a powerful reminder that a simple decision at birth — to bank cord blood and tissue — could one day make an enormous difference for your child or another family member.

Have Questions? Please complete the short form below and you will receive a simple, comprehensive Free Guide to Cord Blood and Tissue Banking.

Reference

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. “How the blood donated from a Spanish baby’s birth 12 years ago saved a teenager’s life.” 26 November 2025.

Photo

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust/SWNS