July is National Cord Blood Awareness Month. It is a time during which the importance of cord blood and tissue stem cells is celebrated. Importantly, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from cord blood can now be used to treat more than 80 diseases and conditions. Mesenchymal stem cells present in cord tissue are also being explored in a wide range of clinical trials.
Cord Blood Awareness
There are three primary categories of people who need to increase their awareness about the importance of cord blood stem cells. These categories include:
- Expectant (pregnant) parents
- Extended support networks for parents, including brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends
- Medical practitioners, including nurses and Ob/Gyns