Ask Dr. Sears

We asked noted author and pediatrician Dr. Robert Sears, who shares a private practice with his father, TV's Dr. William Sears, some questions about the power of cord blood. Here's what he had to say.

Q: Do you recommend cord blood banking to your patients?

A: Yes, I strongly recommend cord blood banking to my patients. A cord blood stem cell transplant with a person's own cord blood stem cells, or that of a sibling, gives your child the greatest possible chance of being cured of their disease.

Q: Can cord blood stem cells cure diseases?

A: Absolutely. An important reason for recommending cord blood banking is because in the past several years, stem cell research has shown how these amazing cells can cure a variety of childhood and adult diseases, and emerging uses include the treatment and possible cure of many health conditions such as heart disease, spinal injury and more.

Q: How is my baby's cord blood collected?

A: After your baby is born and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, your doctor will collect the cord blood using either a syringe or a blood bag. The procedure is safe, painless, and only takes a few minutes.

Q: Who can use my baby's cord blood?

A: Your baby will be a perfect match for the cells, and the baby's mother should also be able to use the cells due to her carrying the child during pregnancy. The most common use for cord blood stem cells is between siblings; however, any family member who is a suitable genetic match may be able to use the stem cells if needed.

Q: If I bank my baby's cord blood, how long can it be stored?

A: Current data reflects that cord blood cells stored for fifteen years have the same composition as they did at the time of storage. All science involving cryogenic storage of cells also indicates that the cells should remain viable indefinitely.

Q: What are the odds that my child or family might need to use my baby's cord blood stem cells?

A: According to medical research, the odds that a child will someday need to use his or her own newborn stem cells for current treatments are estimated at 1 in 400. Odds that the newborn or a family member may benefit from banked cord blood are estimated at 1 in 200. These odds do not include the emerging and potential use of newborn stem cells to treat heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and spinal cord injury. The continued progress would greatly increase the likelihood of use.

Q: Which bank did you choose for your own children?

A: I read the brochures and websites from several companies, but at first, on the surface, every company looked like it was the best. I called each company and asked some detailed questions. I was shocked when many companies answered that none of their stored samples had been used for transplantation. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that Cord Blood Registry had provided the vast majority of the samples that had ever been used for private cord blood stem cell transplants to that date. CBR was the first cord blood bank to be officially accredited, they utilize the most updated technology and, importantly, they are the most financially secure.