What are Stem Cells?

Stem cellsQuite simply, stem cells are very early cells, blank cells if you like, that can develop into almost all other types of cell and tissue. Here are a few basics – click on the links to find out more.

  • what they do – they can help the body to heal and regenerate itself after injury or illness
  • how they work – stem cells help produce new, healthy cells to replace damaged tissue
  • how they are collected – once a baby has been born, stem cell-rich blood can be taken from the umbilical cord
  • how they are stored – following strict regulatory guidelines, Virgin Health Bank's storage facilities can safely keep the collected stem cells for many years.

Stem cells are found throughout the body, but especially in bone marrow, in peripheral blood (your circulating blood) and in the umbilical cord. The stem cells found in cord blood are particularly versatile, collected using a straightforward technique and, because they’re brand new, they’re also at their most vital.

What do stems cells do? >