LMRUK: Protecting the next generation through cord blood

RESEARCH charity, Leukaemia & Myeloma Research UK (LMRUK) is proud to once again be supporting World Cord Blood Day, an international initiative to improve education about cord blood, held on the 15^th of November.

The annual awareness day is organised by Save the Cord Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness of the life-saving benefits of cord blood. Each year, a free virtual conference is held to highlight the latest advances in cord blood stem cells.

This year’s conference will focus on innovations in cancer treatment through the use of cord blood stem cells, and how they’re being used in regenerative medicine for spina bifida, cerebral palsy and more.

LMRUK will be marking the date by sharing key facts about cord blood and the latest innovations in blood cancer treatment to help educate others.

Ahead of World Cord Blood Day, LMRUK is encouraging expectant parents to learn about the benefits of umbilical cord blood banking and to discover their cord blood banking service, the Model Cell Biobank, to see if they’re eligible for funded support.

The charity has shared information on cord blood banking to help educate people on what this potentially life-saving procedure is. Read on to find out more…

What is cord blood?

Cord blood is the blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta following the birth of a child. It is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells, which are currently being used to treat over 80 different diseases, including leukaemia, lymphoma and sickle cell anaemia.

What is cord blood banking?

Cord blood banking is the process of collecting a newborn baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells safely at the time of birth and storing them for future use in a specialist facility.

The collection of cord blood poses no risks to the mother or baby and it does not interfere with the birthing process or bonding experience.

The first successful cord blood transplant took place in 1988, and there have now been over 60,000 cord blood transplants worldwide!

LMRUK’s cord blood banking service

In 2015, LMRUK launched the Model Cell Biobank – the UK’s first umbilical cord blood stem cell storage service, offering either part or full financial support for qualifying families.

The bespoke service covers either a percentage or the full cost for expectant parents depending on the family’s eligibility, which looks at household income and whether there is a history of cancer in the immediate family.

The charity is partnered with Smart Cells International to enable families using the Model Cell Biobank to safely procure and store their baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells for future use if needed.

For more information about the Model Cell Biobank and for a step-by-step guide of how the process works, visit: https://lmruk.org/model-cell-biobank-service/.

To hear what customers of the Model Cell Biobank had to say about using the service, click here: https://lmruk.org/model-cell-biobank-stories/.