|

Our Science

covers the breakdown of stem cell science at Anja Health and beyond

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are master cells that can divide and multiply rapidly into cells that can replace and repair damaged cells in the brain, heart, spine, limbs, muscles, skin, and more.

What can stem cells cure?

Cord blood stem cells are FDA-approved as a treatment for 85+ diseases. Clinical trials are examining stem cells from the cord tissue and placenta being used to treat diabetes, cerebral palsy, neurological damage, heart disease, liver disease, wounds, and more.

Where do stem cells come from?

Umbilical cord blood
Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) in the umbilical cord blood can reconstitute the immune system and have been used to treat cancers, blood disorders, immune disorders, and metabolic disorders..

Umbilical cord tissue
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) in the Warton’s Jelly of the umbilical cord tissue are being used in clinical trials to treat Alzheimer’s, dementia, diabetes, stroke, wounds, heart disease, and to slow aging.

Placenta
The Placenta is a powerhouse containing both Amniotic Epithelial Cells (AECs) and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). Both are being looked at to treat neural degeneration, anti-aging, and promote the birth mother’s health.

A Brief History

Stem cell science has rapidly developed over the last few decades. The FDA has already approved over 85 cord blood treatments, and there's more to come.

1978
Stem cells discovered in umbilical cord blood for the first time.
1995
First cord blood transplant on an adult leukemia patient.
2004
The first time a child was cured of a malignant brain tumor using their own banked cord blood.
2009
20,000 cord blood transplants performed around the world to-date.
2012
In a double-blind clinical trial it was proved that cord blood treatments were effective in treating cerebral palsy.
2017
Over 40,000 cord blood transplants have been performed worldwide to treat over 80 diseases.

A Brief History

Stem cell science has rapidly developed over the last few decades. The FDA has already approved over 85 cord blood treatments, and there's more to come.

1978
Stem cells discovered in umbilical cord blood for the first time.
1995
First cord blood transplant on an adult leukemia patient.
2004
The first time a child was cured of a malignant brain tumor using their own banked cord blood.
2017
Over 40,000 cord blood transplants were performed worldwide to treat over 80 diseases.
2012
In a double-blind clinical trial it was proved that cord blood treatments were effective in treating cerebral palsy.
2009
20,000 cord blood transplants performed around the world.

Did you know...

1 in 16
In the next 18 years, 1 in 16 children may need stem cells to better their quality of life.
30%
As high as 30% of people can’t find a match, and people of color have a harder time finding a match.
31 States
31 states have laws that require OBGYNs to tell parents about stem cell banking.

Stem cells can change lives.

These stories are directly from people that have seen how impactful stem cell treatment can be.

2019
8 Minute Read
Stem Cells Treat 57 Year Old After Stroke
Read More
2020
8 Minute Read
6 Year Old Treated with Cord Blood
Read More
2020
2 Minute Read
Cord Blood Stem Cells Treat 3 Year Old's Autism
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

View all FAQ
How does this all work?

After you purchase your collection kit, you’ll receive it in the mail within 5 business days. When you give birth, take your collection kit with you. Immediately after birth, your baby's umbilical cord is clamped and cut. A doctor or midwife draws cord blood from the clamped cord into a collection bag. Once you call the number on our collection kit or fill out the pickup form to alert our shipping team that you've given birth, a medical courier picks up the collection kit and speedily delivers it to a lab. Necessary testing and processing is carried out, and cord blood stem cells are stored in a liquid nitrogen storage tank within a lab facility.

How can I use the stem cells?

The umbilical cord is rich with powerful stem cells - hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to be precise. Umbilical cord blood stem cells are FDA-approved to treat cancers, blood disorders, immune disorders, and metabolic disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, leukemia, and sickle cell anemia. After birth, you have access to a portal where you can view your stem cell certificate and contact us in the case you ever want to retrieve your stem cells. You would need to have a physician ready to receive the stem cells for treatment (generally for a FDA-approved or clinical trial use case). We can get the stem cells to your designated physician shortly after you contact us.

Can I freeze it at home?

No, maintaining stem cell viability requires careful cryopreservation in extreme temperatures. (-190° Celsius for safe-keeping!) These stem cells have no known expiration date so we’ll keep them safe as long as you need.

What should I bank?

Banking your cord blood, cord tissue, and your placenta gives you the greatest quantity and variety of stem cells for future treatment possibilities.

Stem cells are the body's master cells, creating all tissues and organs. They can repair, restore, and regenerate cells and offer treatment possibilities for numerous medical conditions. These unique cells can develop into various cell types, from muscle to brain, and are the only type of cell in the body that has the natural ability to generate new cell types.

At your birth, we can collect and store Multipotent stem cells from the cord blood, cord tissue, and the placenta. Multipotent stem cells can develop into any cell type within a family of tissues.

Umbilical cord blood stem cells, Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs), are FDA-approved to treat cancers, blood disorders, immune disorders, and metabolic disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, leukemia, and sickle cell anemia.

The placenta is rich with Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and Amniotic Epithelial Cells (AECs). These stem cells have valuable growth elements, which are potentially effective when it comes to anti-aging, limiting neural degeneration, and more.

Umbilical cord tissue, filled with Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), are the subject of clinical research looking at treatments for lung disease, Alzheimer's, Autism, heart disease, hair loss, and more. In the case of personal injury or physical ailments, these can potentially be extremely helpful.

To learn more in depth, check out our posts:

Cord Blood Banking: Is It Worth It?

What is the placenta, and how does it work?

Cord Blood vs. Cord Tissue: What’s the Difference?

Curious how Mesenchymal Stem Cells can be used?

Discover more

Here are a few articles that unravel the science behind stem cells, explore the latest advancements, and provide valuable insights to get you started. Visit our blog for more enlightening reads!

Ready to be #StemCellSafe?

Get your collection kit

Join the Anja community