On this week’s blog we’re talking all about stem cell storage. Stem cells can be used to treat over 80 illnesses and donating or storing cells can help others or your own family should they become unwell in the future.
What are stem cells? And why are they important?
Stem cells are special ‘building block’ cells in the body that can develop into many different types of cell, such as blood, brain, or muscle cells. Stem cells collected from a newborn’s umbilical cord are particularly valuable because they are young and have not been exposed to environmental toxins or diseases, making them more effective for treatment.
One of the key benefits of these stem cells is their use in regenerative medicine. They can be used to treat over 80 diseases, including:
- Blood disorders like leukaemia and lymphoma.
- Genetic disorders such as sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia.
- Certain immune system disorders.
- Future potential for treating conditions like cerebral palsy, type 1 diabetes, and even spinal cord injuries is being researched.
How to store stem cells in the UK
If you’re considering stem cell storage for your baby, the good news is that there are several accessible ways to go about it in the UK. You can choose either the public NHS stem cell bank which does not charge you to collect, test or store your donation. Your donation could go on to save the life of anyone in need. Should you or your family require a transplant the register would be searched for the most appropriate match, which could be your donation unless it has already been given to another patient for transplant.
Alternatively you can choose a private cord bank which will store the cells for use solely by the donor or their family. This means that if a member of your family becomes unwell with a stem cell-treatable disease there is likely to be a good match available for them.
Private stem cell banks charge a fee to collect and test your stem cells and they also charge an on-going annual fee to store them.
How are stem cells collected?
Once you’ve decided between public and private banking, the next step is to register with a stem cell bank. For private banking, you’ll need to select a company and sign up well before your due date to ensure everything is prepared in advance.
Stem cell collection is a quick, painless, and non-invasive procedure that takes place immediately after your baby is born. There is no risk to you or your baby.
Once your baby has been born, your midwife will confirm that written or verbal consent has been given and will pass your placenta to our staff, along with your consent to collect form. Your placenta is then taken to a dedicated cord blood collection room within the delivery suite.
The placenta is placed in a sterile supporting structure and the cord is cleaned with an alcohol wipe. A needle is then inserted into the cord and the blood naturally flows into a collection bag. A minimum of 60ml of cord blood needs to be collected for one donation.
Who can donate?
To donate your cord blood you must be aged 17 or over.
Most people are able to donate their cord blood and will be asked a series of lifestyle and medical questions to make sure that their donation is suitable for transplant.
Cord blood cannot be donated if you are carrying twins or other multiples. This is because the placenta will be smaller than with single births, and there will not be enough cord blood from the placenta to achieve a donation volume sufficient for transplant.
You may donate if you have conceived using IVF, even if you have used a donor egg and/donor sperm, as long as the donor’s medical history can be provided at the time of collection or soon after. As long as there is no medical reason that the midwife needs to retain your placenta, cord blood can be collected if you are having an elective or emergency caesarean.
For more information about NHS cord bank donation click here.