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Stem cells explained:

What stem cells are & why they matter

Stem cells support the body’s natural ability to repair and regenerate tissue. They are already used in the treatment of certain serious conditions and continue to be studied for their broader medical potential.

Understanding their role helps you make more informed decisions about your future health.

Why store stem cells?

The building blocks of life

Stem cells are unique, unspecialized cells with the ability to develop into different types of cells in the body. Unlike other cells, they can self-renew, helping maintain and repair tissues over time.

This makes them a central part of the body’s natural repair system, supporting the continuous renewal of blood, muscle, nerve, and other essential cell types.

What makes stem cells unique

Unlike most cells in the body, stem cells are not confined to a single function. They have the ability to both renew themselves and support the body’s natural repair processes:

Self-renew

Create new exact copies of themselves, maintaining a long-term supply of stem cells.

Differentiate

Develop into specialized cells such as blood, nerve, or muscle cells.

Repair and regenerate

Support the replacement of damaged or diseased cells, aiding in the body’s natural healing processes.

This unique combination of abilities is why stem cells play a central role in modern medicine.

Where stem cells are found and why timing matters

Stem cells exist in several parts of the body, but their properties and how they can be collected vary significantly. In some cases, collection requires invasive procedures or donor matching, while others are only available at a specific moment in life.

Explore stem cell research

Bone Marrow

A well-established source used in transplants for certain blood-related conditions, including leukemia. Collection is invasive and typically requires a compatible donor.

Peripheral Blood

Collected after stimulating the body to release stem cells into the bloodstream, often as part of medical treatment.

Fat Tissue

Contains stem cells that can be collected through surgical procedures and are increasingly explored for their potential in regenerative medicine.

Umbilical Cord Blood

Collected at birth, these stem cells are used in established treatments for many of the same types of conditions as bone marrow stem cells, including certain blood-related diseases. They are younger, more adaptable, and associated with a lower risk of immune rejection.

Umbilical Cord Tissue

Collected at birth, cord tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells that are being studied for their ability to support the repair and regeneration of tissues such as muscle, cartilage, and connective tissue, as well as their potential role in modulating the immune system.

Placenta

An additional source of stem cells available at birth, the placenta contains a diverse range of cell types that are being studied for their potential to support tissue repair, promote healing, and play a role in regulating the immune system.

Why stem cells collected at birth offer unique advantages

Together, stem cells from the umbilical cord and placenta have distinct properties that make them particularly valuable, both in current medical use and in ongoing research.

For many families, this represents a way to prepare for the unexpected, with something that is uniquely their own.

Younger and more adaptable

Collected at the very beginning of life, these cells have not been affected by aging or environmental factors, supporting their regenerative potential.

Safe and non-invasive collection

Collected after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, without risk or discomfort for mother or child, and compatible with delayed cord clamping.

Lower risk of immune rejection

More adaptable in how they are recognized by the immune system, which may reduce the risk of rejection in stem cell transplantation.

Available when needed

Collected and stored in advance, without depending on donor registries or search for a compatible match at a later stage.

Collected in a controlled environment

Handled under sterile conditions, supporting high quality and reducing the risk of contamination.

How stem cells are used in medicine today

Stem cell treatments are already used in established medical care for a range of serious conditions. In particular, they play a key role in treating diseases affecting the blood and immune system, with ongoing research expanding their potential further.

Stem cell treatments are primarily used in the following areas:

Blood disorders

Stem cells are used to treat diseases affecting the blood and bone marrow, where the body is unable to produce healthy blood cells.

 

Examples include:
Aplastic anemia, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and myelodysplastic syndromes.

Cancers

Stem cells are used as part of treatment for certain cancers, particularly those affecting the blood and immune system.

 

Examples:
Leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Immune diseases

Stem cells are used to treat conditions where the immune system does not function properly or is severely weakened.

 

Examples:
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome and other inherited immune disorders.

Metabolic diseases

Stem cells are used in the treatment of certain rare inherited conditions where the body cannot properly break down or process specific substances.

 

Examples:
Hurler syndrome, Krabbe disease, and other rare inherited metabolic conditions.

How stem cell treatments work in practice

Stem cell treatments are used to support the body’s ability to repair and restore function, and are already part of established medical care for certain serious conditions.

Depending on the treatment, stem cells are introduced into the body through infusion or targeted injection. Once administered, they can interact with surrounding tissues and support biological processes involved in healing and recovery.

This is why preserving stem cells at birth can be a meaningful option for the future.

Why stem cells matter in treatment:

Supporting the body’s natural repair processes

Promoting tissue regeneration in damaged areas

Modulating immune system responses

Helping restore function affected by disease or injury

Simple to arrange, fully compatible with your birth plan

Collection takes place after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, and does not affect delivery or delayed cord clamping. We guide you through each step.

A decision you can only make once

Stem cells collected at birth are only available at a single moment in time. Preserving them gives your family access to something that cannot be recreated later, handled safely, and stored under controlled medical conditions.

No impact on the delivery. No risk for mother or child.

Think ahead. Act now.