Though cord blood banking is a recent discovery in medical science, it is very useful for baby’s bright future and for stem-cell transplantation. People do not have sufficient knowledge about this field and therefore they have some misconceptions in their minds, concerning the safety and effectiveness of banking cord blood.

v  Many people have a fallacy that doctors do not use the stored cord blood on the same child who has donated that blood earlier. However, the fact is that doctors recommend using cord blood to cure many diseases including myeloma, lymphoma, some kinds of tumors and leukemia.

v  Another fallacy regarding cord blood banking is that a family rarely needs cord blood at any point of time. It is totally baseless belief. No-one knows when he or she can develop a life threatening disease and needs matching stem cells. Cancerous diseases are rising constantly and doctors recommend stem cell transplantation as one of the most effective treatments for many types of cancers.

v  Some people think that if their family history does not show anything about cancer, then there is no need for banking cord blood of their children. They do not understand that cord blood is not only used to cure cancer, but to treat many other conditions including anemia, beta thalassemia, autoimmune disorders, Krabbe disease, hurler syndrome etc.

Cord blood can prove to be a valuable asset for the whole family. Many people are looking to store cord blood in private banks for family use; while others are donating cord blood in public banks. The people, who have enough money to pay to private banks, should always consider banking cord blood in private banks. It makes easier for the people to find matching stem cells at the times of need.  Moreover, the stored cord blood can be used not only for the donor baby, but for baby’s siblings, parents and other close family members.

Parents should consider banking their child’s cord blood and encourage other people also to carry out the same task. Safety of the child is the first concern of all parents, then why the cord blood is thrown away after the birth of a child? Do not throw it away, rather save it for future use by child, siblings or parents. It is not dangerous in any way, neither for mother nor for baby. Isn’t it a good idea to bank cord blood? Think about it and consider going for banking cord blood next time when you are pregnant.