Caption

Umbilical cord blood for stem cell harvesting. Bag containing blood collected from a donated human placenta and umbilical cord from which umbilical cord stem cells will be harvested. With the blood bag is a tube containing a sample of the umbilical cord, a blood sample tube and a blood film (in white case). The stem cells, which are able to develop into any type of blood cell, can be used to treat a number of diseases, including cancers, genetic diseases and blood disorders. The placenta lines the uterus (womb) during pregnancy, providing the foetus with oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products. The umbilical cord attaches the placenta to the foetus. Blood stem cells will be harvested from the placenta and umbilical cord blood and cryogenically stored (frozen).