The Need for More Cord Blood Donations
Each year, thousands of people are diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or certain immune system or genetic metabolic disorders. Many of these patients need a cord blood or bone marrow transplant (also called a BMT). Because the factors that determine a suitable match for bone marrow or umbilical cord blood are inherited, a match from a sibling or other family member is often sought first. However, 70 percent of patients will not find a matching donor in their family. For these patients, a transplant of bone marrow or cord blood from an unrelated donor may be their best treatment option.
A bone marrow or cord blood transplant replaces diseased blood-forming cells with healthy cells. Cells for a transplant can come from the marrow of a donor or from the blood of the umbilical cord collected after a baby is born. Sometimes the unique qualities of umbilical cord blood make it a better choice of blood-forming cells for transplant.
The United States Congress recognized the need to help more patients who need a bone marrow or cord blood transplant and passed the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, Public Law 109-129 (Stem Cell Act 2005). This act includes support for umbilical cord blood transplantation and research.
Learn how umbilical cord blood may be especially helpful and how the Stem Cell Act 2005 is helping patients.