Cord Banking Basics - Learn How Cord Blood May Be Lifesaving

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Welcome to Cord Banking Basics
Every expectant parent deserves to know the power of the stem cells contained in their baby’s umbilical cord. Leading organizations have come together to present Cord Banking Basics, a source to help expecting parents make informed decisions about what to do with their babies’ stem cells.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends that all pregnant patients be provided with a “balanced perspective” on all cord blood options. These options include:

Save — Private Banking for potential family use

Donate — Public Banking for use by an unrelated person

Discard — Stem cells are discarded as medical waste
Welcomes You to Cord Banking Basics

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends that all pregnant patients be provided with a "balanced perspective" on all cord blood options, to help make an informed decision to save, donate, or discard their babies' stem cells. Every expectant parent deserves to know the power of the stem cells contained in their baby's umbilical cord.

This educational resource was produced by Cord Blood Registry® in collaboration with the US Women's Health Alliance.
In Partnership with
What are Cord Blood Stem Cells?

Stem cells are immature cells that have the ability to become other kinds of cells that form organs and tissues. They are powerful, unique cells that are the building blocks of the body.

After a baby is born and the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, some blood remains in the blood vessels of the placenta and the attached portion of the umbilical cord. This cord blood is rich in powerful hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells.

Currently, this type of stem cell (from cord blood and other sources) has been used to treat more than 1 million people.¹
Current Treatments with Cord Blood Stem Cells
As of today, cord blood stem cells have been used in more than 30,000 transplants to regenerate healthy blood and immune systems.²

Over the last 20 years, cord blood stem cells have been used in the treatment of more than 80 serious diseases and disorders. By helping to replace a patient's damaged blood and immune system, cord blood stem cells help treat and even cure a number of diseases like certain:
- Cancers
- Immune Diseases
- Blood Disorders
- Metabolic Disorders
Carol’s Story

See how Carol’s life was transformed after a stem cell transplant.
The Promise of Regenerative Medicine

In addition to saving lives through stem cell transplants, cord blood stem cells have properties that have been shown in the laboratory to help the body repair itself.³

It's estimated that 1 in 3 people in the U.S. may benefit from regenerative therapy in their lifetime.⁴ When stored properly, newborn stem cells will not "expire". They remain safe and ready for future use, which means their benefits can last a lifetime.^5,6
Potential Applications
Cord blood stem cell therapy is being investigated in patients for regenerative medicine applications in FDA-regulated clinical studies for conditions such as:⁷
- Autism affects 1 in 88 children⁸
- Cerebral palsy affects 1 in 303 children⁹
- Pediatric stroke 1 in 4,000 full-term newborns exhibit symptoms¹⁰
- Traumatic brain injury affects 475,000 children¹¹
- Type 1 diabetes 15,000 children are diagnosed every year¹²
- Acquired hearing loss 15 percent of children in the US suffer from hearing loss¹³
More than 200 clinical trials are seeking to advance treatment options using cord blood stem cells¹⁴ in both transplant and regenerative medicine.
Delayed Cord Clamping

Some families are interested in delaying the clamping of the umbilical cord after birth and have questions about how that may impact a cord blood collection.

It is possible to collect the cord blood after delaying cord clamping. It is recommended that healthcare providers do not alter their usual cord clamping practices when delivering a baby whose cord blood will be collected.
your options: cord blood stem cells
Now that you've learned about current and potential future uses, learn more about the options for your baby's stem cells.
- Family banking store the stem cells for your family's exclusive use
- Public donation donate the stem cells to possibly help a patient in need
- Free family banking for families with a medical need
- Discard as medical waste
The opportunity to save a baby's potentially lifesaving stem cells happens only once in a lifetime—at birth.
family banking
- How it Works
  
  Your baby's stem cells are saved exclusively for your family's use, for a fee
- Medical Uses
  
  The stem cells could be used by your family to help treat several conditions and may provide you with exclusive access to certain FDA-regulated clinical trials
- Access
  
  Your child's stem cells are immediately available should they be needed for treatment
- Costs
  
  The first year fee is approximately $1,650, which includes shipping, processing and storage. After the first year, you will be charged an annual storage fee of approximately $150. Don't forget to ask about payment options, as several family banks provide convenient payment plans and gift registry programs.
- Why Parents Save Privately
  
  A child needs access to his or her own stem cells to participate in many of today's regenerative medicine clinical trials using cord blood
  
  A child is always a perfect match to his or her own stem cells
  
  A matched sibling donor is usually preferred for transplants
important decision points when choosing a family cord blood bank
- Experience
  
  Financial stability
  
  Number of samples in storage
  
  Owns and operates their laboratory
- Quality
  
  Measurements for collection quality & reporting results
  
  Publishes results from their laboratory
  
  Storage safety measures and backup systems
- Clinical Expertise
  
  Leading role in FDA-regulated clinical trials sponsored by the bank to advance research using cord blood stem cells
  
  Genetic counselors on staff to help patients with medical need
free banking for families with a medical need
- How it works
  
  You may qualify for free banking through programs like CBR's Newborn Possibilities if your family may benefit from newborn stem cells now or in the near future
- Access
  
  Stem cells are immediately available for use
- Costs
  
  Processing and storage for up to 5 years are free of charge; after 5 years, the storage fee is approximately $150 per year
- Eligibility
  
  A 1st degree relative (like a parent or a full sibling) of the newborn has been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease currently treatable with a donor stem cell transplant
  
  You are expecting an at-risk baby who may benefit from an investigational treatment using his or her own stem cells
  
  Consult with a family bank or your healthcare provider for more information
Public Donation
- How it works
  
  Check with your hospital to see if they participate in a donation program
  
  Requires a screening process and advance registration in most cases
  
  The National Donor Program requires a 60 day advance notice with the processing facility
- Medical uses
  
  The sample could be stored for use by a patient in need, used for research, or, if the sample is insufficient, discarded
- Access
  
  By donating the cord blood sample, the cells are not kept for the exclusive use of your family; they may be given to the first match with a medical need
- Cost
  
  No cost to donate
- why Parents Donate
  
  Donation increases the national supply of donor cord blood stem cells available to patients who need a transplant
make your decision well in advance of your due date
- If you choose to save your baby's stem cells with a family bank, you'll need to register with the bank and take the collection kit with you to the hospital when you deliver.
- If you choose to donate your baby's stem cells, you'll need to register with the public bank so they are prepared to collect the sample after you deliver.
- If you choose not to bank for your family or donate, the hospital will discard the stem cells as medical waste.
Register form

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Based on your preferences, you may receive additional information about saving or donating newborn stem cells. A Newborn Stem Cell Educator may call to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have.

To learn more about the cord blood banking process, please email CBRLabTour@cordblood.com to schedule a tour of the Cord Blood Registry© (CBR©) laboratory in Tucson, Arizona. CBR will respond to discuss possible tour dates and times.

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Opinion form
Based on what you have learned, what is your preference:

I want to save my newborn’s cord blood stem cells for my family with a private bank.

I want to donate my newborn’s cord blood stem cells to the public registry if this option is available at my hospital.

I have a family member with a condition that may be treated with stem cells and am interested in eligibility for a free private banking program.

I have chosen not to save my baby’s cord blood stem cells.

I’m not sure.

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We're glad you now know a little more about the amazing potential of cord blood stem cells.

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For information about saving cord blood for your own family, including how to save with a CBR® Gift Registry, please visit cordblood.com.

To learn more about donating cord blood in your area, please visit BeTheMatch.org.

To learn more about the CBR Newborn Possibilities Program, please visit cordblood.com/newbornpossibilities or call 1-888-CORD BLOOD (1-888-267-3256).

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