Chrissy Teigen partners with US newborn stem cell preservation company

Chrissy Teigen has partnered with the US newborn stem cell preservation company Cord Blood Registry to promote a new educational campaign.

The campaign focuses on the benefits of banking newborn stem cells from cord blood and cord tissue and aims to highlight the impact banked newborn stem cells from cord blood and cord tissue could have on patient lives and physician practices.

Cord blood is the blood collected from the placenta and umbilical cord after birth and is rich in stem cells, which can be used to treat many different cancers, immune deficiencies and genetic disorders.

Cord tissue, on the other hand, refers to the stem cells found in the umbilical cord tissue itself.

According to the Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation, both are a form of “biological insurance” where parents bank their baby’s stem cells for future therapies.

Teigen said as part of her pregnancy, she learned that banking her baby’s newborn stem cells could give them access to current treatments and future clinical therapies, if the child ever needs them.

“We knew this was something we wanted to do – as a mum, I want to make sure our children have every possible option available to them.

“I was confident in partnering with CBR, as they are the number one choice for parents and the most recommended cord blood preservation company by OB/GYNs.”

Holly Sheffield, president at CooperSurgical, said: “When we were identifying campaign partners, Ms Teigen was the obvious choice.

“Her openness about successes and challenges spanning her business and personal life is relatable to expectant parents across the United States.

“We are excited to educate more parents about the possibilities that storing newborn stem cells could have for their family’s future.”

Emerging research in regenerative medicine is examining the ability of newborn stem cells to also help repair and regenerate damaged cells with healthy ones.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) neither recommends nor advises against cord blood banking.

WebMed cautions parents about the procedure, as the chance of privately banked cord blood being used by children is low despite high collection and storage costs.