Why donate Cord Blood?

The stem cells from cord blood are very special cells: They can be obtained from the human cord blood and the placenta when a baby is delivered without risk for the mother and its child. Isolating cells is an absolutely painless process. The stem cells are then stored deep-frozen and can be used e.g. for this child or for other patients. These special stem cells are unique because of their capability to reproduce themselves manifoldly and to evolve into various types of tissue. For several years already, stem cells from cord blood play a major role in treating leukemia patients. In the context of so-called regenerative medicine which may involve replacing body tissue, stem cell products are already in the phase of clinical development.