How does the Israel Cord Blood Center Function?

The first step is for parents to agree to donate. This must be agreed to in advance of the expected delivery. All authorities in Israel, both religious and secular, agree that donating cord blood is both acceptable within their legal structures and should be encouraged.

The cord blood is collected only upon the birth of a healthy child. It is sent immediately to a lab so that the stem cells may be removed from the cord blood. The stem cells are then tested and typed according to formal procedures. The stem cells are then cryogenically stored at the Israel Cord Blood Bank within the MDA National Blood Services Center.

The clinical and financial success of the ICBB depends on the number of umbilical cord blood units collected. If more units are available, there is a far greater chance of finding a match for those in need of a transplant. More units also means the greater possibility of sister institutions within Israel having an adequate supply of stem cells for research purposes.

Stem cells have the unique ability to develop into any of the body's tissue types. While the research on stem cells is quite new, it is clear that without an adequate supply no progress will occur.

Stem cells are currently used primarily to treat cancers and blood disorders. The hope is that through research, cures may be found for such illnesses as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and heart ailments. One baby's unique cells carry the blueprint for saving another person’s life.

How many people can be helped?

The current estimate is that there are five cord blood transplants a year per 1 million people. On this scale MDA will, when the Israel Cord Blood Center reaches full operation, be able to offer life saving transplants to hundreds of people. Based on the donations of various populations within Israel, by 2007 MDA Cord Blood should be able to help:

34 Israelis

18 Palestinians

118 Jews worldwide

608 People in neighboring countries.