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multiply and regenerate. Stem cell transplants have fewer complications, than bone marrow transplants from matched or unrelated donor. Also, less expensive, than performing a bone marrow transplant. All the cells help create blood and repair immune system. The rejection of the transplanted cells, are less likely coming from a family member, relative or same blood type. The Institute of Medicine estimated that cord blood, could help treat about 117,000 Americans year, with leukemia and other diseases.

Deciding to donate cord blood done, by the thirty-fourth week of pregnancy. This will provide sufficient time to make arrangement, with your physician to be ready to collect the cord blood. This can be done, during a natural child's birth or C-section. A signed consent formed is necessary, to be signed by the mother. The mother is required to answer a questionnaire, and provide a small sample of blood, to guarantee the cord blood will be health, and safety of any recipient. Time is essential to collect the umbilical cord after being cut, since clotting starts immediately, reduces amount can be collected. Women with cancer, insulin-dependent, diabetes, hepatitis, immune disease, are not allowed to donate. If the cord blood will be donated, then a search will be conducted through National Marrow Donor Program (Telephone: 1 - 800 - 999 -9674), to match a patient, which has same blood type, and heritage. Otherwise, the cord blood will be stored in liquid nitrogen freezer, in blood bank. Studies have shown, cord blood cells can be recovered up to ten years. Information regarding donor transplant, will not be made available to the recipient.

When selecting a cord blood bank company, make sure the business is fully accredited by American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). The accreditation ensures a high level of quality, regarding processing and storage facility. Furthermore, consider how many blood units are stored, and how many successful transplants. Blood bank companies that rarely perform any transplants, may indicate, physicians may have rejected the banks cord blood, which may have inadequate procedures for storage. The Company should be long term financially strong, and have procedures, in case any financial problems where to happen, their facility would be taken over by another blood bank. Further indication, financial stability if the company was affiliated with a large corporation, to provide funding for research, regarding baby's cord blood stem cells. The

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