In recent decades, the medical community has made remarkable strides in understanding the potential of cord blood — An often overlooked biological resource that holds immense promise in the medical world.

Cord blood is known to be the blood that is present in the umbilical cord and placenta after childbirth. As opposed to regular blood, cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that can grow into various types of blood cells. These stem cells are crucial for the regeneration and repair of damaged tissues and organs making them invaluable for medical treatments, such as cancer and immune deficiencies.
On the 4th of every July, Cord Blood Awareness Month serves as a crucial reminder of its significance exploring the definition of cord blood, its composition, medical benefits, regulatory landscape, ethical considerations, and future prospects. 
Composition and Properties of Cord Blood
The stem cells are perceived as the fundamental unit of the human body that can differentiate into a wide variety of cell types.
Cord blood contains a mix of stem cells, progenitor cells, and other valuable components such as cytokines, growth factors, and immune cells. These elements contribute to its unique healing properties and ability to support the immune system, making it an ideal candidate for treating various diseases, including cancers and genetic disorders. The stem cells can produce blood. When cord blood is donated to a patient as a part of their treatment, the stem cells can develop into the exact type of blood cell that the patient’s body requires. These could be platelets, white blood cells or red blood cells.
Potential Uses in Medical Treatment
The medical applications of cord blood are diverse and growing. It has been successfully used in the management of 80 diseases; as a stem cell therapy for leukaemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers, as well as certain genetic disorders like sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia. For instance, a cord blood transplant results in full remission for a child with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Research continues to explore its potential in regenerative medicine for conditions like spinal cord injuries and autoimmune diseases. It was discovered as a part of a clinical trial that injecting cord blood into a patient with suspected spinal cord injury resulted in improved motor function.
It is an ideal option for stem cell transplantation. In contrast to bone marrow, drawing cord blood is simple, painless, and non-invasive, posing no risk to the mother or the baby. It also eliminates the hassle of finding a suitable donor.
Milestones in Clinical Applications
Over the years, significant milestones have marked the advancement of cord blood research and clinical applications. The establishment of public cord blood banks globally has expanded access to this resource, facilitating thousands of life-saving transplants worldwide. Ongoing research aims to enhance the efficacy and scope of cord blood treatments, promising even greater medical innovation in the future.
The cord blood banking procedure starts with the parents choosing the particular bank for their donation. After the child is delivered, the medical professional uses a sterile collection kit provided by the bank to collect the cord blood. After being drawn, the blood is sent to a cord blood bank in a thermally insulated transportation container, where it is put through a comprehensive testing, processing, and cryopreservation process to protect its viability.
Stem Cell Donors and their Expansion
Cord blood banking plays a crucial role in diversifying the pool of stem cell donors. Unlike bone marrow donation, which requires a closely matched donor, cord blood is more readily available and offers a higher likelihood of matching patients in need of transplants. However, efforts to promote public cord blood banking aim to address disparities in access to life-saving medical treatments, particularly among the underserved communities. Increased awareness and accessibility can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare disparities globally.
Cord blood awareness campaigns and initiatives educate the public about the importance of banking cord blood and its potential to save lives. These efforts encourage expectant parents to consider donating or privately banking cord blood, contributing to both individual and community health.
Ethical and Legal Considerations
The regulation of cord blood banking ensures the safety, quality, and ethical standards of collection, processing, and storage practices. Regulatory bodies oversee both public and private cord blood banks to uphold these standards and protect the interests of donors and recipients alike.
Research has suggested that ethical challenges are often about informed consent from parents regarding the collection and use of cord blood. Breach of donor’s confidentiality, as well as questions of ownership and control over stored samples are some of the few imperative legal considerations. It is conscientious to obtain informed consent for the donation of any cord blood unit, regardless of the timing of collection or its potential use, with proper counselling.
The ownership of cord blood is still debated upon between the mother and the father. Some banks require both maternal and paternal consent. However, it is largely dependent on the circumstances of who is readily available to give consent at the moment after delivery. Clear guidelines and policies are essential to navigating these ethical complexities responsibly.
Equitable access to cord blood banking services remains a critical concern. Efforts are underway to make banking services more affordable and accessible to all socioeconomic groups, ensuring that every family has the opportunity to benefit from this life-saving resource.
Initiatives in Pakistan
Pakistan currently has two functional cord banking services that are licensed by the United Kingdom,  ‘Future Health – Pakistan’ and ‘Cell4Life’ are partnered with Nawan Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd in Pakistan with storage facilities in the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
The program of stem cell transplantation in Pakistan started over a decade ago; though cord blood transfusion is still uncommon though. Pakistan is still in its initial stages of cord banking and it requires massive collaborative efforts by the government, pharmaceutical industry, and educationists to overcome woes of cost, technological limitations, and most importantly public awareness. Since less than 50% of women are literate in Pakistan substantial efforts are needed in the domain of public education and awareness to make the proprietors well aware of their legal rights.
Thus, Cord Blood Awareness Month plays a crucial role in educating expectant parents about the importance of cord blood banking. Increased awareness empowers families to make informed decisions about the potential health benefits of storing or donating cord blood. The awareness programs yield great outcomes if all the parents are taught to locate and choose a cord blood bank that suits them best, how to access them, and the donation process.
By highlighting success stories and medical breakthroughs facilitated by cord blood transplants, awareness campaigns tap into its life-saving potential. This knowledge encourages expectant parents to consider cord blood banking as a proactive health measure for their families.
Cord Blood Awareness Month serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of cord blood in healthcare. From its composition and medical benefits to ethical considerations and future innovations, cord blood continues to redefine possibilities in medical science. By fostering awareness, promoting accessibility, and advancing research, we can harness the full potential of cord blood to improve public health and cater to the growing number of complex genetic disorders. As we celebrate this awareness month, let us reaffirm our commitment to unlocking the boundless opportunities that cord blood offers for future generations.

She graduated in MBBS program from SMC in 2023 and is currently serving at Jinnah PostgraduateMedical Centre (JPMC).
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