THE DECISION
The
decision to store or not to store stem cells harvested from
the umbilical cord directly after birth remains a very personal
matter. Lazaron strongly advises and will continue to advise
parents to fully investigate the merits of stem cell storage
prior to making any decisions.
Various scientists believe that
the decision to store cord blood stem cells should, at this
juncture, be viewed as a somewhat speculative investment in
future health.
Yet this opportunity at present
is considered a once off opportunity and while the current reported
probability for future use of stem 
cells
by a baby remains in the order of 1 to 2700, it is anticipated
that this probability will increase substantially in future
as new medical advances are made.
Cord blood stem cells remain
a perfect match for that baby. It has a high probability of
being a viable match for a sibling and can potentially be used
by parents and grandparents in the treatment of over 40 diseases
including a wide range of cancers, genetic diseases, immune
system deficiencies and blood disorders.
It is important to note that
it is presently considered technically impossible to harvest
stem cells from small children. Stem cell therapy with one's
own stem cells at this age is therefore only possible after
cord blood harvesting.
THE
METHODOLOGY
Once the decision has been taken
by the parents, they will either consult with their physician
or contact Lazaron directly. Lazaron will provide both the physician
and parents with the relevant documentation.
Parents will enter into an agreement
with Lazaron, while the physician will be provided with a collection
kit containing exact instructions.
As with the collection of any
blood sample the attending physician will collect the specimen,
mark the sample and forward the sample to any one of the many
PathCare depots.
The
PathCare couriers will forward the sample to the Lazaron laboratories
from where the stem cells 
will
be harvested and appropriately stored, in two separate locations.
It is important that the specimen
reaches the Lazaron laboratories within 24 hours after collection.
THE COLLECTION
At the time the baby is delivered,
the umbilical cord is clamped or tied about five centimetres
from the abdominal surface.
A
small portion of the umbilical cord is then left intact hanging
from the baby's belly. This will dry up and shrivel away in
around 10 days after being treated with any one of a number
of antibacterial substances.
Around 600mm of the remaining
umbilical cord is attached to the placenta or afterbirth.
The placenta or afterbirth is
the organ which the embryo grows to attach to the uterus.
It is through the placenta that
oxygen and other nutrients are transferred from the mother to
the baby and waste products such as carbon dioxide are then
transferred from baby back to mother, who eliminates them from
her body.