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Cord Blood
The New Jersey Cord Blood Bank (NJCBB)
The Public Cord Blood Bank for the State Of New Jersey
Help Save a Life: Donate Your Baby's Cord Blood
Parents who choose to donate their babies' umbilical cord blood to the
New Jersey Cord Blood Bank (NJCBB)
at Community Blood Services can give life twice. The blood found in a baby's cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which can be used for the treatment of many life-threatening diseases.
Our state-designated public bank allows you to donate your baby's umbilical cord blood at participating hospitals in New Jersey so his or her stem cells can be used by a child or adult suffering from cancer or another life-threatening disease anywhere in the world.
Stem cell transplants are being used in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, sickle cell anemia, cerebral palsy, aplastic anemia and various other cancers, blood diseases, hereditary conditions and immune system disorders. In the future, stem cells may be used to fight heart disease, breast cancer, diabetes, Parkinson�s disease, Alzheimer�s disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Parkinson�s disease, AIDS, and a score of other genetic diseases.
There is no charge to donate your baby's stem cells to our public bank.
What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are found concentrated in bone marrow and umbilical cord blood. Stem cells make the three types of blood cells that we need to survive: red cells to carry oxygen throughout our bodies, platelets to prevent bleeding and white cells to form our immune systems and guard us against infection. When stem cells are damaged or destroyed during aggressive treatment for cancer or other diseases, they can be replaced through bone marrow or cord blood transplants.
How Are Stem Cells Collected and Stored?
Stem cells are collected from the umbilical cord after your baby's birth. The registration process is easy and the collection, which only takes about five minutes, is safe for you and your baby. Your physician, midwife, nurse or trained technician will collect the cord blood at participating hospitals throughout the northeast. The blood is collected in a blood bag that is packaged in a specially designed container and delivered to our facility to be processed, stored and monitored until needed.
The blood is processed using an automated technology system called SEPAX. Once processing is completed, the cord blood unit is stored in liquid nitrogen freezers and monitored until needed. The tissue type of the cells in the unit is listed on the National Marrow Donors Program (NMDP) registry, which can be searched by transplant doctors worldwide.
Why are More Ethnically and Racially Diverse Donors Needed?
Tissue types are inherited, so patients are more likely to match someone who shares their racial or ethnic heritage. As the need for transplants in diverse communities continues to grow, more ethnically and racially diverse donors are also needed from African American and Black, Hispanic, Latino, Asian and Native American communities to increase the chances of finding lifesaving matches for patients in need in those communities. A key goal of the NJCBB is to increase education and recruitment efforts within the State of New Jersey�s diverse communities in an effort to save more lives.
What is the NJCBB?
In 2005, New Jersey became the first state in the U.S. to create a publicly funded umbilical cord blood and placental stem cell bank and education program. Community Blood Services� cord blood program was designated as an official partner responsible for cord blood collections in the northern part of the state. In 2007 Community Blood Services took over all operations of the New Jersey Cord Blood Bank (NJCBB), becoming the state�s only public cord blood bank for the State of New Jersey. As leaders in the cord blood field, we adhere to the highest licensing and accreditation standards. Our program is operated by our highly certified staff, which has extensive experience in the field of stem cells, and is overseen by our distinguished Scientific/Medical Advisory Panel, comprised of experts in the fields of stem cell biology, transplantation medicine, pediatrics, and maternity medicine.
You Have a Choice:
You can also choose to save your baby�s cord blood in the Elie Katz Umbilical Cord Blood Program�s family bank at Community Blood Services for use if needed sometime in the future by your child or another family member.
To find out more about how to preserve your baby�s precious cord blood:
Call 1-866-SAVCORD (728-2673)
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