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The Medical opinion

Today, there are many medical uses for stem cells. However, the chances of your child needing its own stem cells during the early years are currently very small - anywhere from 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 20,000. They're far more likely to require donated stem cells from a matched donor. It is generally acknowledged that there is a worldwide shortage of matched stem cells, so the more that can be made available via registers, the better.

In the future, many doctors and scientists believe that there will be great potential for new treatments using stem cells. If this promise is fulfilled, a child with a supply of its own stem cells might be better placed to gain full advantage.

That's why I support Virgin Health Bank's unique stem cell storage service. It offers immediate benefits today and should ensure families can take full advantage of advances in regenerative medicine.

Dr Steve White, Consultant Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgeon, Leeds.