Coalition for Regenerative Stem Cell Medicine (CRSCM)

Myths & Facts

Myth: Stem cells from umbilical cord blood are only used to treat
a few diseases.

Fact: Cord blood stem cells have been used for over 20 years in over 25,000 transplants to treat a wide range of blood and immune disorders such as leukemia and sickle cell anemia. Now, these unique stem cells are being explored in the field of regenerative medicine in which medical researchers are evaluating stem cells to help repair damaged tissues and organs in the body. Research is currently evaluating cord blood stem cells as a potential therapy for conditions such as cerebral palsy, hearing loss, traumatic brain injury and juvenile diabetes, which have limited therapeutic options today.

Myth: Further education on banking umbilicalcord blood stem cells is unnecessary because most expectant women already know about cord blood storage options.

Fact: According to a Perlow J.H., et al, study published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine (2006), 84% of women expect their physician to initiate a discussion about cord blood banking, yet only 14% of patients are educated by their healthcare provider on cord blood banking options. In addition, this study revealed that 63% of patients reported they had "some knowledge" about cord blood banking, while 37% percent had "no knowledge" about the subject; of the 63% reporting "some knowledge," 74% of them described themselves as only "minimally informed." National education efforts for cord blood stem cells will raise awareness of this important health resource and will change the face of healthcare by encouraging more and more people to consider saving cord blood, thereby giving more Americans an easily accessible source of their own stem cells for potential future treatment.

Myth: Umbilical cord blood banking is only for wealthy people.

Fact: Family cord blood banks often offer personalized payment plans to fit most families’ budgets as well as gift registry programs which allow friends and family to contribute towards saving this valuable medical resource.Additionally, many cord blood banks offer free banking programs based on medical need whena family member has already been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease treatable by donor stem cells such as sickle cell anemia and acute and chronic leukemia.

Myth: The emerging therapeutic potential of cord blood stem cells in regenerative medicine should have no bearing on a parent's decision whether to bank publicly or privately.

Fact: In current studies utilizing cord blood stem cells for regenerative medicine applications, the use of one's own stem cells is generally required. Because families lose ownership of their cord blood stem cells once they donate them to a public bank, private banking is the only option that willprovide parents with a guarantee that their child will have access to his or her own cord blood stem cells in the future.

Myth: Using cord blood stem cells in regenerative medicine applications isn't safe.

Fact: Regenerative stem cell therapy involves using one's own (autologous) stem cells. Infusing one's own cells back into the body provides many transplant advantages, including no risk of graft vs. host disease (a leading cause of death for transplant patients) and immediate availability. Autologous transplants are safer than the use of someone else's (allogeneic) cord blood stem cells, which have already been in use for transplants for over 20 years and have demonstrated safety and efficacy in treating a wide range of serious diseases.


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