List of USA Public cord blood banks

As you knew, Public cord blood banks accept cord blood donations for free. By donating umbilical cord blood, you have chosen to try to help someone in need of a potentially life-saving transplant.

Public cord blood banks that accept cord blood from anywhere in the U.S.

BioE LLC - St. Paul, Minnesota

BioE collects cord blood donations for basic research on cord blood. This program does not require mothers to register in advance or undergo health screening.

Carolinas Cord Blood Bank - Durham, North Carolina

Carolinas Cord Blood Bank is 1 of 3 banks in the NMDP pilot study of MAIL-IN DONATIONS. Eligible mothers must register by the 34th week of pregnancy and pass a health screening.

Celebration Stem Cell Centre - Gilbert, Arizona

The Celebration Stem Cell Centre (CSCC) began operations in Gilbert, a suburb of Phoenix AZ, in Sept. 2010. The bank provides both family storage and public donation of cord blood. CSCC is affiliated with a Translational Research Institute (TRI) that will support projects using cord blood research donations for cardiovascular therapy.

Children's Hospital of Orange County Cord Blood Bank - Orange, California

Children's Hospital of Oakland is famous for offering the nation's first Sibling Donor cord blood program, where families with a child needing transplant could receive free cord blood banking for a new baby.

Cleveland Cord Blood Center - Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland Cord Blood Center collects donations from two hospitals in the Cleveland area. Advanced registration is not required. The program operates 24/7, but the lab is not open on Sunday. In addition to the US donation inventory maintained by NMDP, Cleveland CBC also participates in the BMDW international registry of cord blood donations.

Community Blood Services - Allendale, New Jersey

Donors can sign up without pre-registration at those participating hospitals that have on-site staff. Mail-in donations are collected from hospitals via the NuvaCord Network.

Cord Blood Bank of Arkansas - Little Rock, Arkansas

The Cord Blood Bank of Arkansas launched operations in 2011, providing both public donation and family banking services. They hope to collect donations statewide.

CORD:USE - Orlando, Florida

CORD:USE was founded by some of the leading doctors in cord blood transplantation. They offer both public donation and family storage. Public donations collected by CORD:USE are sent to the Carolinas Cord Blood Bank, a FACT-accredited program under the direction of Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg. CORD:USE only accepts donations from medical centers where they have trained the staff. The collection may be performed by dedicated personnel or by OB/Gyn's and midwives. CORD:USE training allows staff to either collect cord blood "in utero", prior to delivery of the placenta, or to collect "ex utero", by draining cord blood from the placenta after it has been delivered.

Donor Services of Indiana - Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hospitals that work with Donor Services of Indiana are color-coded primarily as a research donation because they ask all mothers to consent to donate perinatal tissue, while only a small fraction of the births are eligible to donate cord blood to a transplant program. Expectant mothers are approached for consent when they are admitted for labor.

Gift of Life - Boca Raton, Florida

Gift of Life is a non-profit charity that seeks to help Jewish patients find a transplant match. They recruit bone marrow donors and cord blood donations, with their efforts focused on locations with large Jewish populations. Gift of Life operates their own accredited cord blood laboratory that participates in the national NMDP network. In order for their cord blood donations to be listed on the NMDP network, obstetricians who collect for Gift of Life must undergo training and regular proficiency testing.

ITxM: The Institute For Transfusion Medicine - Rosemont, Illinois

The Institute For Transfusion Medicine (ITxM) is the parent company of multiple blood-banking concerns, including two programs collecting cord blood donations from the states IL and PA.

J.P. McCarthy Cord Stem Cell Bank - Detroit, Michigan

The J.P. McCarthy cord blood bank was founded in memory of a morning radio show host in Detroit. It is run by the Karmanos Cancer Institute.

LifebankUSA - Cedar Knolls, New Jersey

This mail-in donation program requires registration at least 4 weeks prior to delivery and mothers must pass a health screening. LifebankUSA and its parent, Celgene Cellular Therapeutics, are the only USA organization doing research on the combined therapeutic potential of stem cells from cord blood plus stem cells from placental blood. They need donations of both cord blood and placentas, to supply their clinical trials that may help patients with the following conditions:

• Crohn's Disease
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Ischemic Stroke

LifeCord - Gainesville, Florida

LifeCord public cord blood bank is a program of LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, developed in cooperation with the University of Florida College of Medicine and the Shands at UF Stem Cell Laboratory. The medical director of LifeCord is Dr. John Wingard, director of the stem cell transplant program at Shands.

Lifeforce Cryobanks - Altamonte Springs , Florida

In 2003 Lifeforce Cryobanks became the first public bank enrolling mothers to mail in donations. Those donations that cannot be accepted for unrelated transplants are either sold for research or discarded. Parent enthusiasm for this program has always exceeded the company's ability to accept donations.

M. D. Anderson Cord Blood Bank - Houston, Texas

M.D. Anderson Cord Blood Bank is 1 of 3 banks in the NMDP pilot study of MAIL-IN DONATIONS. Eligible mothers must register by the 34th week of pregnancy and pass a health screening.

Michigan Community Blood Centers Cord Blood Bank - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Michigan Cord Blood Bank mails the donation kit to the expectant mother but only accepts collections from deliveries at selected hospitals.

Midwest Cord Blood Bank - Indianapolis, Indiana

The Midwest Cord Blood Bank will accept donations from anywhere in the state of Indiana. However, due to medical regulations, they can only list collections for transplant use if they come from hospitals that have an IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval. Donations from other hospitals are stripped of donor identity and designated for research use only.

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NY Blood Center National Cord Blood Program - Long Island City, New York

Collection hospitals for the NY Blood Center do NOT require advance registration: mothers can give a partial consent to collect the cord blood during labor, and only if the collected cord blood is suitable for transplantation will the mothers will be given additional education and asked for a final banking consent post-delivery.

Puget Sound Blood Center - Seattle, Washington

The Puget Sound Blood Center (PSBC) collects cord blood donations directly in Washington state, and also receives donations from collection programs in Oregon and Hawaii.

Saneron CCEL - Tampa, Florida

This mail-in donation program does require advance registration, but it can take place after 35 weeks and almost up to the time of birth, so long as the application is processed in time. The donated cord blood is used in animals for disease research. Parents can earmark their cord blood to be used towards a particular Saneron CCEL research program that they wish to support.

St. Louis Cord Blood Bank - St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis Cord Blood Bank accepts cord blood donations from hospitals within a 150 mile radius, in both Missouri and Illinois.

StemCyte - Covina, California

StemCyte is a global company. StemCyte participates in the US network of public cord blood banks operated by NMDP, plus StemCyte operates the national cord blood bank of Taiwan, whose units are listed with NMDP. The StemCyte lab in Southern California is accredited under the international FACT/Netcord standards, and provides both public donation and family storage for US parents. Note that, under FACT accreditation, cord blood donations can only be accepted at times when there are dedicated collection personnel on duty.

Texas Cord Blood Bank - San Antonio, Texas

Texas Cord Blood Bank at the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center is 1 of 3 banks in the NMDP pilot study of MAIL-IN DONATIONS. Eligible mothers must register by the 34th week of pregnancy and pass a health screening. The Texas Cord Blood Bank can only accept donations on weekdays.

University of Arizona Cord Blood Bank - Tucson, Arizona

The University of Arizona has been collecting cord blood donations purely for research from the University of Arizona Medical Center since the 1990's. Researchers at the U. of Arizona seek to develop regenerative medicine therapies that rely upon the stem cells in cord blood.

University of Colorado Cord Blood Bank - Aurora, Colorado

The University of Colorado Cord Blood Bank (UCCBB) is operated by ClinImmune Labs, an academic-based biotechnology company.

University of Iowa Cord Blood Bank - Iowa City, Iowa

The University of Iowa collects cord blood donations specifically for disease research, not transplants.

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Source: http://parentsguidecordblood.org

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Enrollment in the Cord Blood and Cord Tissue Stem Cell Service

Enrollment in the Cord Blood and Cord Tissue Stem Cell Service is easy.

• Enroll Online
  The online enrollment process is convenient and simple. Provide us information about yourself and your healthcare provider. It takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
  
• Enroll by Phone
  Call them at your convenience and in the comfort of your surroundings -- any time of day or night, 24/7. Please provide them with your details so that their Cord Blood Banking Consultant can contact you to arrange for a private consultation.
  
• 
  Print Enrollment Form
  You can also download our enrollment form so that you can fill out offline.

After you enroll you will receive a kit with everything you and your doctors need for a successful cord blood collection. You’ll keep your kit with your prepacked hospital luggage so it will be ready when the big day arrives.

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After your baby is born, your obstetrician or midwife will clamp and cut the cord and then collect the cord blood. The blood will flow into the bag by gravity until it stops. The actual collection typically takes two to four minutes.

After the cord blood has been collected, the blood bag is then clamped, sealed, and clearly labeled for easy identification. Your baby’s cord blood will then be transferred to a processing facility by private medical courier for processing and storage. Collection, processing, and preservation methods vary depending on which cord blood company your family chooses.

Families who bank enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that their baby’s cord blood is available should the need for a medical transplant ever arise.

Cord Blood Foundation recommends that parents select a Family Bank whose laboratory has been inspected and accredited by an accreditation agency specific to cord blood banking, as this provides a degree of quality assurance.

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How is Cord Blood Collected?

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Cord blood is the blood left behind in the placenta and umbilical cord after the birth of a baby. It is a rich source of blood-forming stem cells that can be used instead of bone marrow transplants in children. Cord blood research throughout the world continues to explore its potential but there are no guarantees yet that it can prevent or cure the range of disease that some claim it can.

Many parents are beginning to realize the unique opportunity that is offered to them following their baby’s birth. A simple procedure that does not affect mother or baby is used to drain the stem-cell-rich blood from the umbilical cord and placenta after birth. This cord blood can then be banked and could prove vital in years to come.

The collection process is easy and painless, and does not interfere with the delivery or subsequent care for your newborn. After your baby is born, but before the placenta is delivered, your obstetrician or midwife cleans a four- to eight- inch area of umbilical cord with antiseptic solution and inserts the blood bag needle into the umbilical vein. The blood flows into the bag by gravity until it stops, after which the collection is complete. The blood bag is clamped, sealed, and labeled. The collection typically takes two to four minutes. Three tubes of maternal blood are also drawn for testing.

Part of the cord blood donation process includes a review of the mother's health history. Donors must usually be 18 years old or older and in good health. Those who have or are at risk for infectious disease such as HIV/AIDS, or viral hepatitis are not eligible to donate. Mothers should speak with their health care provider when considering donation.

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Factors Considered When Choosing a Private Cord Blood Bank

There are numerous private blood banks throughout the world, however, and the main factors for comparison are generally location, accreditation, and fees. Some of the other factors you might consider include blood cell storage, shipping processes, laboratory testing, and how long the blood bank has been storing blood. You can always request a copy of the contract for potential blood banks you are considering so you can compare details such as consumer rights.

Location

There are many private banks throughout the world, so your cord blood bank comparison should start by determining which banks serve your location. If you choose a blood bank that is close to your selected hospital, then fewer blood cells have a chance to die during transportation. Also, some hospitals have contracts with specific private banks, so you should check if your hospital only collects blood for certain banks.

Length of time in business and reputation

All operating information concerning the business should be available in the information/enrollment packet or online at the business’s website. Check the Better Business Bureau online for any reported problems or complaints from customers. Any reputable facility will want to share its business record and customer approval information with you; this includes a guided tour of their facility if location and time permit.

Financial stability

Make sure the company you select to bank your precious cord blood is financially stable. You don’t want to find out that the company you’ve picked may someday go out of business. All financial and annual reports should be made available to you. Check to see that the business is frequently audited and has shown a positive, consistent record of financial stability.

Licensing and accreditation

Accreditation is another factor to consider in your cord blood bank comparison, if it is applicable in your geographic area. In order for a bank to be accredited, it must pass laboratory inspection by an accreditation agency. In the United States and Canada, a company called AABB will typically inspect the blood banks. In the United Kingdom, accreditation can be done through the Human Tissue Authority (HTA), and in many other countries it is done through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Collection, processing and storage methods

Further factors to consider in your cord blood bank comparison include shipping processes, laboratory testing, and how long the bank has been storing blood. Not all private banks provide transportation to ship your cord blood from the hospital to the bank, so if it is not included, you will have to find your own medical courier. The testing done at the laboratory can vary, so you can check if the bank tests for infectious diseases and if it will reject contaminated blood. Also, you can compare how long a bank has been collecting and storing blood to get an idea of how much experience it has and the stability of the company.

On-site processing or outsourced processing

The fewer hands and locations your cord blood sample has to go through to be tested, processed and stored, the less likely there will be mistakes, confusion and accidents.

Collection kit instructions

All instructions should be easy to read. Many companies accompany their collection kit with an educational video demonstrating the collection procedure. Also check to see that a 24/7 cord blood educator or support staff is available in the event there are any questions or procedural issues that need to be answered or addressed.

Staff availability

The company you select should have a support staff or cord blood educator available 24/7 in the event you have additional questions before, during or after the delivery of your baby.

Collection return

It’s mandatory that the company you select has an efficient, reliable courier or delivery service that provides timely return of your cord blood sample for testing, processing and storage.

Payment plans

Depending on your financial situation, the cost of the private bank might be of concern. Many private banks offer flexible payment plans and financial options that could make privately banking your baby’s cord affordable for you. Request that a completely printed explanation be sent to you of all expected charges for your cord blood banking.

Copy of the contract

You should request a copy of the contract for any blood banks you are considering so you can compare details such as consumer rights. The contract should explain what will happen if the company goes out of business, your storage fees are not paid, or your cord blood gets lost. It should also explain the privacy policies of the blood bank. Thoroughly reading private banks’ contracts will allow you to do a detailed cord blood bank comparison before signing one.

Reference:

• www.womens-health.co.uk
• www.wisegeek.com

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Everything You Need to Know about Stem Cells

Get the facts about stem cells: what they are, where they come from, and why some stem cells are controversial. Find out what different types of stem cells exist.

Stem cells are undifferentiated or 'blank' cells found in the human body that have the potential to develop into many different cell types that carry out different functions. They are capable of developing into any of several types of cell, such as blood cells, bone cells, nerve cells, skin cells, etc. The definition of a stem cell is a cell with ability to reproduce itself indefinitely. Fully differentiated cells (non-stem cells) either cannot reproduce or can only reproduce a certain number of times.

Many different terms are used to describe various types of stem cells, often based on where in the body or what stage in development they come from. You may have heard the following terms:

• Adult Stem Cells or Tissue-specific Stem Cells
  Many adult tissues contain stem cells that can replace cells that die or restore tissue after injury. Adult stem cells are tissue-specific, meaning they are found in a given tissue in our bodies and generate the mature cell types within that particular tissue or organ. 
• Fetal Stem Cells
  Fetal stem cells - are taken from the germline tissues that will make up the gonads of aborted fetuses. Like adult stem cells, fetal stem cells are generally tissue-specific, and generate the mature cell types within the particular tissue or organ in which they are found.
• Cord Blood Stem Cells
  At birth the blood in the umbilical cord is rich in blood-forming stem cells. The applications of cord blood are similar to those of adult bone marrow and are currently used to treat diseases and conditions of the blood or to restore the blood system after treatment for specific cancers. Like the stem cells in adult bone marrow, cord blood stem cells are tissue-specific.
• Embryonic Stem Cells
  Embryonic stem cells are derived from very early embryos and can in theory give rise to all cell types in the body. However, coaxing these cells to become a particular cell type in the laboratory is not trivial. Furthermore, embryonic stem cells carry the risk of transforming into cancerous tissue after transplantation. To be used in cell transplant treatments the cells will most likely need to be directed into a more mature cell type, both to be therapeutically effective and to minimize risk that cancers develop. While these cells are already helping us better understand diseases and hold enormous promise for future therapies, there are currently no treatments using embryonic stem cells accepted by the medical community.
• Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS cells)
  An induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell is a cell taken from any tissue from a child or adult that has been genetically modified to behave like an embryonic stem cell. As the name implies, these cells are pluripotent, which means that they have the ability to form all adult cell types.

Our bodies use different types of tissue-specific stem cells to fit a particular purpose. Tissue-specific stem cells are limited in their potential and largely make the cell types found in the tissue from which they are derived. Thus, it is unlikely that a single cell type could be used to treat a multitude of unrelated diseases that involve different tissues or organs. 

Be wary of clinics that offer treatments with stem cells that originate from a part of the body that is different from the part being treated.

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Unfavorable Aspects of Cord Blood Transplants from Unrelated Donors..!

A cord blood transplant may give the patient one of the rare genetic diseases of the blood or immune system. Families who donate cord blood are asked about their ethnic background and family history of genetic diseases. Cord blood is tested for common genetic diseases such as sickle cell anemia. And we obtain information about diseases that may be found in the infant before he or she is sent home after birth. However, some genetic diseases may not be apparent in the child for months or years and will not be found or even suspected by current screening methods. At present, it is also not possible to test for all of these rare diseases. Thus, there is a chance that a cord blood transplant may transmit to a patient a rare serious genetic disease that was not recognized beforehand.

The main disadvantage of cord blood is that the volume collected is fixed and relatively small. Therefore, the number of stem cells available for transplantation is low compared to the number of cells that can be collected in customizable bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell harvests.

The average total nucleated cell dose (number of nucleated cells per kilogram of the patient's weight) in a cord blood graft, for example, is less than about 1/10th that of the average bone marrow graft. As a consequence, engraftment (the return of nucleated blood cells, red blood cells and platelets) to the patient’s blood is slower with cord blood than with bone marrow transplants. Cord blood transplant patients, therefore, may be more vulnerable to infection in the first two to three months after their transplant. This problem is greatest for adolescents and adults because they require a relatively large number of cells.

Another disadvantage of cord blood is that the donor cells come from a newborn infant that will not be available for an additional donation of cells or bone marrow. In bone marrow transplants, on the other hand, the donor may be asked to make a donation of white blood cells (T-lymphocytes or T-cells) to help fight a recurrence of leukemia or development of lymphoma. Or a second marrow donation might be needed if the first one fails to engraft.

T-cell donations and second transplants from the same donor are not available with cord blood. Another cord blood unit from a different donor would have to be given if the first one fails.

Source: www.nationalcordbloodprogram.org

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How and Where to Donate Your Baby’s Cord Blood

Cord blood stem cells have been successfully used in transplant medicine. Cord blood has been used to treat many life-threatening diseases including leukemia, other cancers, blood disorders, metabolic disorders, and immune diseases.

Cord blood also is being used in regenerative medicine research, where stem cells are being evaluated for their ability to induce healing and regenerate cells to repair tissues. Clinical trials are evaluating a child's own cord blood stem cell infusions as experimental therapies to treat cerebral palsy, brain injury, juvenile diabetes, and acquired hearing loss.

Donating your baby’s umbilical cord blood to a public cord blood bank can give hope to someone in need. To protect the health of patients who may receive donated cord blood, only cord blood units that meet our strict quality standards will be stored and listed on the Be The Match Registry for patients in need of a transplant.

How to Donate Cord Blood

Get started by finding out whether the hospital where you plan to deliver your baby collects cord blood for public donation.

Look up your state on a searchable map of donation locations provided by the Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Foundation.

If your hospital is listed, contact the public cord blood bank that works with your hospital for more information. (A few hospitals allow mothers to enroll at the last minute when they arrive for labor, but most programs require advance enrollment.)

If your hospital doesn't collect cord blood on site, you can still donate by enrolling in a mail-in donation program. The Parent's Guide to Cord Blood provides a map and list of public banks that accept mail-in donations of cord blood.

Pick a bank from the list, contact the bank, and the bank will lead you through the process. The first step is for the mother to enroll and receive a collection kit. Her healthcare provider (who can be a midwife or doula) is then required to take training on the use of the kit. After the cord blood is collected, the kit is shipped to the bank.

Most public cord blood banks and hospitals need several weeks before your baby arrives to check your health history and eligibility to donate, so you should enroll before week 36 of pregnancy. You'll also want to discuss your desire to collect and donate your baby's cord blood with your healthcare provider, and make sure your provider knows how to collect cord blood.

Public cord blood banks also evaluate the history or risk of sexually transmitted infections and the circumstances and timing of ear, skin, and body piercings.

Collect your baby's umbilical cord blood

Your healthcare providers collect your baby's umbilical cord blood shortly after your delivery. The umbilical cord is clamped and cut. Then the blood is drained from the cord and placenta into a storage bag or vials, using gravity or a syringe.

Cord blood units donated to public cord banks are collected under strict quality standards to provide the best possible results for transplant patients. After the blood is collected, it's sent to the cord blood bank for testing and storage. (Cord blood units that are stored privately cannot later be transferred into the Be the Match Registry for public use.)

After that, A lab runs tests on the cord blood, If the cord blood doesn't meet transplant standards, it will be used for research or discarded. If the cord blood does meet transplant standards, it's stored in a cryogenic nitrogen freezer at a cord blood bank and made available to patients needing transplants.

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How Much Does Cord Blood Banking Cost?

Cord blood, which is harvested from the umbilical cord right after a baby is born, is marketed as a treatment for diseases such as leukemia and sickle cell disease, and as a potential source of cells for regenerative medicine – a cutting-edge field of medicine studying how to repair tissues damaged by everything from heart disease to cerebral palsy.

In previous articles we say that,Cord blood can be banked 2 ways – in public banks for use by anyone in need whose cell type is a match, and in private banks where it is only available to the family of the child who donated.

Talking about costs, Public cord blood banking is free while collection and storage costs at private cord blood banks are high. Private cord blood banking costs $2,000 to $3,000 for the initial fee, and around another $100 per year for storage.

It is common for storage facilities to offer prepaid plans at a discount and payment plans to help make the initial storage a more attractive option for you and your family.

List of Private Cord Blood Banks in the United States

The comparison table below is a complete list of private cord blood banks in the United States. The table shows cord blood cost as well as other important information to consider when choosing a cord blood bank for you and your family.

Company	Accreditation	Total 1st Year Costs	Annual Storage Fee
AlphaCord	AABB	$890*	$115
AssureImmune	None	$1,975	$150
CorCell (Cord Blood America)	AABB	Unavail.	Unavail.
Cord Blood Registry	AABB	$2,195	$125
Cord Blood Solutions	AABB	$1,795	$125
Lifeforce Cryobanks	AABB	$1,399	$120
CryoCell International	AABB	$1,720	$125
DomaniCell	None	Unavail.	Unavail.
Elie Katz	AABB	$1,770	$120
FamilyCord	AABB	$1,975	$125
HemaStem	AABB	$1,700	$130
LifeBankUSA	AABB	$1,900	$125
LifeLine Cryogenics	AABB	$1,350	$115
LifeSource	None	Unavail.	Unavail.
M.A.Z.E. Labs	AABB	$2,010	Free
NeoCells	None	$1,295 + Shipping	$115
New England Cord Blood Bank	AABB	$1,975	$125
PacifiCord	CB, AABB	$2,450	$150
Regenerative Medicine Institute (RMI)	Unavil.	Unavail.	Unavail.
StemCyte	AABB, FACT	$2,125	$125
Stork Medical	AABB	$1,700	$108
The Genesis Bank	AABB	$1,275	$125
Utah Cord Bank	None	$1,025	$85
ViaCord	AABB	$2,250	$125
Xytex Cord Blood Bank	AABB in progress	$1,525	$100

*AlphaCord has multiple labs and thus cost varies based on the lab. Total first year costs are between $890 - $1,510 depending upon the lab chosen.

Source: http://www.bankingcordblood.org

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Pros and cons of cord blood banking

Cord blood banking is the ability to collect and preserve stem cells from the umbilical cord blood for potential medical uses in the future.

Cord Blood banking isn't routine in hospital or home deliveries — it's a procedure you have to choose and plan for beforehand, so be sure to consider your decision carefully before delivery day.

The expense of collecting and storing the cord blood can be a deciding factor for many families. At a commercial cord-blood bank, you'll pay approximately $1,000-$2,000 to store a sample of cord blood, in addition to an approximately $100 yearly maintenance fee. You might also pay an additional fee of several hundred dollars for the cord-blood collection kit, courier service to the cord-blood bank, and initial processing.

There are many families for which cord blood banking makes sense. Certain issues, such as family histories of genetic diseases or belonging to certain ethnic or racial groups, factor into the decision.

• History: If you have a family history or are worried about a predisposition to certain diseases, cord blood banking can give you peace of mind. Cord blood transplants treat over 45 diseases; malignancies, such as leukemia and other cancers; metabolic disorders; blood disorders, such as sickle-cell anemia, and immunodeficiencies. If this is your primary banking reason, then you should also consult a genetic counselor during your pregnancy.
• Recipient Compatibility: Because cord blood is a more primitive source of stem cell, the recipient runs a lower risk of graft vs. host disease (GVHD), a potentially life-threatening immune response.
• Accessility: Not only is cord blood easy to retrieve, because it's cryogenically stored, it is available for transplant whenever it is needed. Bone marrow, on the other hand, is more difficult to get a hold of; it is harder to find a donor matching your HLA type, and the process of retrieval is more complicated.
• Race: Belonging to certain ethnic or racial groups may mean a longer wait to find a bone marrow donor; therefore, donating or privately banking your baby's cord blood will make transplants readily available to these individuals.

While every parent wants to ensure their child's health, there are some hurdles to universal cord blood banking.

• Cost: While many companies in the profession view cord blood banking as an insurance, it's understandable that the price may be too high for many families.
• Likelihood: The American Association of Pediatrics estimated that the chances of banking and later using the stem cells for a transplant are about 1 in 20,000.
• Size: When it comes to cord blood transplants, size matters. Since a typical harvest is enough to transplant a child or small adult (weighing approximately 115 lb.), although research is currently working on proliferating cells in the laboratory in order to match a larger sized adult.

For parents who find these hurdles unsurpassable, the option of donating your blood to a non-profit public bank is viable.

As parents evaluate their reasons for banking their newborn's cord blood and begin to research cord blood bank facilities, there are many considerations and cautions to keep in mind.

Reference: http://www.pregnancy-info.net

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What is Cord Blood Bank

A cord blood bank is a place where the cord blood is stored in special bags and in special containers where they can be stored for a long time and can be retrieved in case of a need.

According to wikipedia.org, Both private and public cord blood banks have developed since the mid- to late-1990s in response to the potential for cord blood transplants in treating diseases of the blood and immune systems. Public banks accept donations to be used for anyone in need. Unlike private cord blood banking, public cord blood banking is supported by the medical community.

Once someone decides to use a cord blood bank, one can use a public or private cord blood bank. While a public cord blood bank offers most of the services for free, in case of a private cord blood bank, the storage services are available for a fee and the cord blood will be reserved for the donor whenever he requires it for his treatment or for his family. In both cases donations are free of charge.

A cord blood bank also maintains a list of the cord blood available with the tissue type information. This is required for anyone who is looking for a suitable matching cord blood. The cord blood can then be requested from the bank, retrieved ,and then used for the transplant operation.

Generally, an expectant mother interested in donation should contact the bank before the 34th week of pregnancy. The National Marrow Donor Program has a list of public cord blood banks on their website. Once the blood is donated, it loses all identifying information after a short period of initial testing. Families are not able to retrieve their own blood after it has been donated.

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Cord Blood Difinition & Collection

Cord blood is a sample of blood taken from a newborn baby's umbilical cord blood. While, Umbilical cord blood or placental blood is blood that remains in the placenta and in the attached umbilical cord after childbirth.

Cord blood contains all the normal elements of blood - red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. But it is also rich in hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells, similar to those found in bone marrow. This is why cord blood can be used for transplantation as an alternative to bone marrow.

It can be used in the treatment over 75 different diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma and anemia. Many expecting parents choose to bank their newborn's cord blood, as it may be useful in the future, should the child or a related family member fall victim to a disease that is potentially treatable by cord blood stem cells.

Reference :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cord_blood

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