7 Benefits of Preserving Stem Cells
Have you ever wondered if the umbilical cord, which is usually thrown away after birth, is actually valuable as it contains a reservoir of cells with unimaginable properties? The umbilical cord contains stem cells, and these cells have amazing properties: the ability to self-renew, produce new cells, and differentiate, giving rise to specialized cells.
They are valuable assets for medical researchers in understanding disease better and researching new effective drugs and treatments. Besides, these cells can mature and replace the diseased specialized cells to restore the organ function.
As stem cell therapy continues to advance in regenerative medicine, the importance of preserving these cells is growing. The umbilical cord is one of the best sources of stem cells.
Benefits of Preserving Stem Cells
Stem cells have the proven potential to revolutionize medicines, improve human health, and treat various disorders. Here are seven key benefits of stem cell preservation.
Life-saving decision for your family
Umbilical cord blood contains a high concentration of stem cells. They are used to treat over 80 life-threatening diseases and disorders. Stem cells can help restore the immune system during chemotherapy and serve as an alternative to bone marrow transplants. These cells can be life-saving for your family members too.
2. Easy to collect and preserve
One of the most essential benefits of umbilical cord preservation is its ease of collection and preservation. Collecting stem cells from other sources, such as bone marrow, typically takes 3 to 4 hours and may require multiple collections. However, stem cell collection is not only rapid and easy but also noninvasive, painless, and takes less time.
3. Easy to access when you need
Stem cells are commonly utilized to treat disorders that require transplantation. This implies that you will have to look for a matched donor, get the sample analyzed in the lab, and then go for the stem cell collection. In contrast, umbilical cord blood is extracted at birth, examined in a lab, tested, and cryopreserved for future use. So when the need arises, it is easily accessible.
4. Matches easily with the immediate family members
The match with your baby will be 100%, and there is a 25% possibility of a perfect match for a sibling as well. However, cord blood transplants do not always require a perfect match; depending on the number of stem cells in the collection, a poorer match may be acceptable.
5. Beneficial for research purposes
With the advancements of science, several clinical trials using umbilical cord blood and cord tissue for blood disorders, neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, stroke, anoxic and traumatic brain injury, diabetes, and muscle repair and arthritis are in progress.
6. It can be stored for 20 years or more.
Stem cells are preserved in cryo-preservation bags that are individually wrapped and placed in aluminum protective cases. Each sample is tagged with a unique identifying code and stored in a cryo-preservation tank at minus 196°C. Evidence indicates that after 23 years of preservation in these world-class conditions, stem cells are still healthy and ready for use.
Final Thought
Stem cell therapy has enormous benefits as it has revolutionized the treatment of injuries and disorders by introducing healthy cells into damaged tissues. So, before it’s too late, consider saving and preserving the umbilical cord for the future.
Cryoviva provides the safe collection and preservation of your baby’s samples under suitable conditions. We make stem cell banking affordable and easily available to parents. So, connect with our experts today and schedule an appointment to bank your baby’s stem cells.
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