Are you considering banking cord blood from your next child? Cord blood from the umbillical cord is rich with stem cells that can be harvested, banked and used again later for the treatment of several serious health conditions. Private cord blood banks freeze and store this blood for years until it might be needed again. However, choosing a cord blood bank isn't as easy as opening a savings account -- you've got to make sure banks have the right accreditations and standards in addition to prices and conditions you can afford. That said, an investment with cord blood banking is an investment in the health of your child. Most people don't know much about choosing a private cord blood bank, which is why we created this article to answer some of the biggest questions. Read on to learn more about cord blood banking options.
Although there are several cord blood banks, three of the best in the United States are Core Blood Registry, Lifebank USA and Family Cord. These banks have been around for years, carry the proper accreditations and have multiple screening checks in place to prevent the storing of contaminated blood.
Core Blood Registry, which was founded more than 20 years ago, includes the costs of blood screening as part of the initial registration fee. This cord blood bank has a reputation for reliability and tests incoming blood samples for a range of diseases including CMV, syphilis and HIV.
Lifebank USA stores cord blood collected from the umbillical cord as well as blood samples from the placenta, making it unique in that regard. Also, there's no extra fee for the storage of blood from the placenta. While cord blood is helpful with treatments requiring stem cells, placenta blood can assist in treatments aimed at nurturing and strengthening bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage.
Family Cord is another well-known private cord blood bank with around 20 years of industry experience. Based in Los Angeles, this cord blood bank offers traditional storage services while also waving its primary fee for the first year. This is a great option for families with other immediate expenses.
Private cord blood banks should be accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks and by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy. Don't do business with cord blood banks that don't have approval from these organizations.
Cord blood banks charge affordable annual fees for their services, although the costs do add up over a number of years. As an example, Cord Blood Registry charges an annual fee of $150 for storing cold blood only. That fee goes up to $300 per year for the storage of cord blood and tissues.
On the fence about whether cord blood banking is worth it? While most people will never need treatment that requires stem cells, cord blood banking does offer a good layer of protection, just in case. Some of the most common diseases requiring stem cell treatments include chronic leukemia, acute leukemia, aplastic anemia, hystiocytic disorders and Krabbe disease.
Most cord blood companies provide hospitals with collection kits that are shpped to their labs once filled following delivery.