Since its inception, the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation has facilitated bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants for patients around the world suffering from life-threatening illnesses.  Gift of Life’s newest life-saving initiative - its Cord Blood Program - promises to provide even more options for patients in need.

 

Cord blood remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth, and has a unique tissue type. Although it is usually discarded, cord blood is extremely valuable because it is rich in blood forming stem cells. After a baby's birth, this blood can be collected and frozen to save a life in the future. Since the cord blood is collected after the baby has been born and the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, the collection is painless, easy and safe for both mother and baby. The normal birthing process is not altered in any way.

 

Cord blood units that meet Gift of Life's pre-processing acceptance criteria are shipped to its contract laboratory for processing, testing and storage. In order to increase efficiency, Gift of Life utilizes Biosafe's Sepax cell separation system for automated cell processing. The system has FDA 510(k) market approval for cord blood processing.

 

Cord blood units that meet post-processing criteria are stored in Gift of Life's BioArchive Cryopreservation, Tracking and Retrieval System, manufactured by Thermogenesis. Features include computer-controlled technology, robotic storage and retrieval, and sample management software.