Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of special blood cells called stem cells. These cells—genetically unique to each baby—are the body's building blocks for blood, organs, tissue, and the immune system. Cord blood provides a source of stem cells in many situations as an alternative to bone marrow to fight and even cure many forms of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and inheritable diseases, and research is yielding new applications every day.

It is simply a matter of not throwing the cord and placenta away. It's so simple to help save a life. But you only have one chance: the moments that follow the delivery of your child. Won't you take a few minutes to see how you can help save a life?

"Since 1988 hundreds of lives have been saved by the three ounces of blood contained in a typical placenta and umbilical cord...Cord blood is more likely to provide a suitable match and less likely to cause complications, because its stem cells are immunologically different, and hence more tolerant, than those in adult bone marrow..." -- Scientific American, April 2001