New legislation provides federal funding to expand the nation’s inventory of cord blood, a rich source of potentially lifesaving stem cells.

Stem cells from bone marrow have been used for decades to treat patients with blood diseases like leukemia and anemia. About two-thirds of those who need a bone marrow transplant have no relative who is a suitable donor, however. In these cases, blood collected from a newborn’s umbilical cord and donated to a public cord-blood bank may be an acceptable alternate source.

Cord blood transplants are becoming increasingly common worldwide. Establishing a national network of public banks to collect and store cord blood will increase the number of units available for matching and help assure equal access to all, say transplant experts. Unlike bone-marrow transplants, cord-blood transplants do not need to be a perfect match.
President Bush signed the bill last December.