Cord blood is rich in stem cells and is already being used to treat many different diseases including leukemia and sickle cell anemia to name a few. Umbilical cord blood can be extracted in a simple, safe procedure from the umbilical cord after birth, but currently most of this precious resource is discarded.

“I encourage people to learn more about cord blood donation and for expectant mothers to consider donating umbilical cord blood after the birth of their child. The birth of a child is a wonderful gift, and a donation of cord blood could help transform the lives of those who could benefit from the extracted stem cells,” said the Most Reverend Peter Smith, Archbishop of Cardiff.