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What is Cord Blood Banking?

Cord blood banking is the opportunity for parents to save the stem cells found in their newborn's umbilical cord. Stem cells are the building blocks for blood, organs, tissue, and the immune system. The preservation of these stem cells, which are different from embryonic stem cells, allows families the benefit of having them available for existing or future medical treatments.

There are no risks to mother or new born associated with the collection of cord blood during delivery.

What are my Cord Blood Banking Options?

When deciding what is best for you and your family, it is important to know about all of your cord blood banking options.

Family Banking

Family banking allows you to store your newborn's cord blood stem cells specifically for your family making them available immediately should your family ever need them. This service is provided by cord blood banks which charge a fee for collection, processing, and storage in which you retain ownership of your newborn's stem cells. Research has shown that transplants with related cord blood stem cells have double the survival rates as compared with unrelated (publicly donated) cord blood stem cells.

Public Donation

Public donation allows your family to offer your baby's cord blood stem cells to the public network at no cost. Your donation may then be made available to any patient requiring a cord blood stem cell transplant. Your family does not retain ownership of the cord blood once it has been donated. As a result, there is no guarantee that it will be available should it be needed by a family member. A fee is charged for stem cells released by a public bank to a patient undergoing a medical treatment.

Medical Waste

Medical waste means that the cord blood will be thrown out as waste. Once discarded, these cells cannot be retrieved for future use.

How it Works!

Your baby's stem cells can be retrieved from Umbilical cord-blood and placenta-blood. These cells - like the stem cells found in bone marrow - make copies of themselves and can be developed into red and white blood cells and platelets.

Stem Cells can be used in the treatment of more than 70 diseases, including lymphoma, leukemia and blood disorders. Medical researchers are currently looking to stem cells for potential cures to diseases like Alzheimer's, and spinal cord injuries too.

Collect and storage of stem cells from your baby's umbilical cord and/or placenta is an option to you at birth. Stem cells may also be stored for your family's future use, or for unrelated recipients. Talk with your doctor or nurse-midwife for additional information and insight on this healthcare issue.