Stem cell transplantation from cord blood is not science fiction. In fact, stem cells transplanted from cord blood are saving lives today, successfully treating over 40 diseases - even for adult patients provided the volume of stem cells is high enough.

To fully understand the value of stem cells, it's important to learn their unique characteristics and where they can be found in the body.

By definition, a stem cell is a cell that can divide indefinitely in a process of continuous self-renewal. A stem cell can produce copies of itself as well as specialized cell types. Embryonic stem cells are referred to as pluripotent. They can become any cell type in the body.

These other cell types are more specialized, usually referred to as multipotent. They can differentiate into a limited number of cell types. For ViaCord's purposes, the focus is on a multipotent stem cell known as the hematopoietic stem cell.

Hematopoietic stem cells give rise to the elements of the blood and the immune system. When these cells are transplanted into patients, they migrate into the recipients' bone marrow and build a replacement immune system to help fight off diseases.

Hematopoietic stem cells can be harvested from three sources - bone marrow, peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood.