Stem cells differentiate, or reproduce, into other cells: red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body; white blood cells, which fight infections; and platelets, which are necessary for clotting. Stem cells from cord blood are used to treat a variety of cancers and blood diseases. Clinical experience suggests that when used in medial treatment, cord blood stem cells from a family member result in double the survival rate for certain diseases when compared to treatments using cord blood stem cells from an unrelated donor.

Stem cells were the top science story of 1999 and researchers have recently discovered that stem cells, like those found in cord blood and bone marrow, can be "coaxed" into becoming other types of cells. Unlike mature cells, which cannot change their destiny, it appears that stem cells can renew themselves and create new cells of whatever tissue they belong to.

Since 1988, doctors have been using umbilical cord blood stem cells as an alternative to bone marrow to treat a variety of cancers and serious illnesses.

Doctors have estimated the odds of a child ever developing a disease that is treatable with stem cells later in life at between 1 in 300 and 1 in 400. Unlike bone marrow, cord blood stem cells have up to a 50% chance of being a useful match for siblings; therefore, the odds of needing to use the stem cells are increased depending on the size of the family.

Recently, Japanese researchers announced they had isolated certain types of cells found in umbilical cord blood, called "progenitor endothelial cells," that may one day enable heart patients to "grow" their own bypasses instead of having surgical vein grafts. The cells form the lining of blood vessels and result in a process known as angiogenesis.

And the development of promising treatments for muscular dystrophy, a disease that affects some 250,000 Americans, was boosted when biologists at Boston Children's Hospital announced they had turned hematopoietic stem cells, like those found in cord blood, into muscle cells. Leaders of the Muscular Dystrophy Association said that this discovery promises the greatest hope they've ever had for treatment.

These new experiments are encouraging because the stem cells are the patient's own and do not carry the risk of rejection, a common problem in transplantation medicine.

The collection of cord blood is a simple, painless process and is similar to drawing blood for a blood test. Parents are sent a collection kit containing the items their caregiver will need to collect the baby's Cord Blood. This kit must be taken to the hospital by the parents when they are ready to deliver. After the baby has been born and the cord has been clamped and cut, the blood will be drawn from the umbilical cord with a syringe. Collection of cord blood can take place at any hospital or birthing center; the procedure takes about five minutes and poses no risk to mother or baby.