What are stem cells
Quite simply, stem cells are very early cells - blank cells if you like - that can develop into almost all other types of cell and tissue.
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.
The collection and storage of umbilical cord stem cells is Vatican-approved and raises no ethical or political issues.
What do they do
Stem cells can help the body to heal and regenerate itself after injury or illness.
Stem cells divide themselves many times to make new stem cells. They can also transform into specific cells needed by the body to heal itself. Stem cells for transplantation can come from yourself (this is called an autologous transplant) or, more commonly from a donor (this is called an allogeneic transplant).
Scientists already know how transplanted cells can be used to treat some illnesses - they're used today, mainly in allogeneic transplants, to fight various blood disorders, such as leukaemia. That's why health care professionals support public cord blood banks - they provide an opportunity for patients to find donated stem cells that match their own, just as you would with a blood type for transfusion.
How stem cells work
Stem cells help produce new, healthy cells to replace damaged tissue.
Today, stem cells - from bone marrow, peripheral blood or cord blood - are mainly used in transplantations to treat blood disorders, such as leukaemia. These donated cells are injected or infused into the patient and move through the blood stream, gradually settling in the bone marrow where they grow and help to rebuild the body's ability to produce new blood cells.
As research progresses, transplants for an individual using his or her own stored stem cells may offer new potential for regenerative medicine to be used as a treatment for many more illnesses and conditions.
How stem cells are collected
- Once you become a member of the Virgin Health Bank, you'll be sent a cord blood collection kit. After your baby is born and the umbilical cord has been cut, a health professional - midwife, nurse, phlebotomist or doctor - will use the kit to collect cord blood. At the same time, UK regulations demand that a blood sample is taken from the mother.
- Once the samples have been safely stored in the special packaging provided, all you have to is call our 24 hour hotline and we'll arrange for a courier to collect them and deliver them to our laboratories.
- The mother's blood sample will be tested to make sure there are no viruses present which would affect how the stem cells are stored. The cord blood sample is tested to determine, among other things, how many stem cells there are.
- If all tests are satisfactory, UK regulations demand that the mother has a further blood test after six months - we'll send you everything you need to organise it. This sample is returned to us for further testing to make sure that no viruses or infections with a long incubation period are present.
- If this second test is satisfactory, the stem cells will be divided into two parts - one available to an international registry - and placed into long-term, low-temperature storage ready for use.
How stem cells are stored
The cord blood stem cell units are stored below -180°C in the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen. This is known as cryopreservation.
In the UK there are strict regulations on the storage of cord blood stem cells. These regulations are currently overseen by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA).
Our storage facility strictly follows all regulations and best practice.
They are:
- compliant with the Human Tissue Act
- licensed by the Human Tissue Authority
Virgin Health Bank currently contracts to store cord blood stem cells for 20 years, after which we'll talk to you about continued storage if you wish.
