Umbilical Cord Blood Collection, Cord Blood Preservation, Cord Blood Storage, and the Cost of Cord Blood Banking

Dibear | Nov 22, 2009 |

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The umbilical cord is present at the beginning of life and cord blood can be there for new beginnings throughout life. Many people suffer from diseases that sometimes cannot be cured with treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. Leukemia is among these conditions. Bone marrow transplants have been useful for treating such diseases, but umbilical cord blood replaces this painful procedure.

Choosing a Cord Blood Bank

Choosing a cord blood bank is part of the pregnancy-planning process. The patient's obstetrician will most likely have experience with some facilities and will have some suggestions. It is important to ensure that the cord blood bank is accredited with the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).

Cord Blood Collection

Cord blood collection is an easy process that is risk-free to the mother and baby. After the placenta and cord are removed during childbirth, the cord blood is either drained into a bag or removed from the cord with a syringe. This must be done within 15 minutes of delivery. The cord blood is packed and shipped to a laboratory for processing within 48 hours of collection.

Cord Blood Preservation

Cord blood preservation involves the cryogenic storage of cord blood stem cells. The cord blood stem cells are separated from the other blood contents, such as red blood cells and plasma. Securacell slowly introduces the stem cells to increasingly cooler temperatures to prevent damage to the stem cells. The stem cells are placed in vials and frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen tanks.

Cost of Cord Blood Banking

According to the American Pregnancy Association, there is an initial processing fee ranging from $900 to $2,100 for cord blood preservation. The initial cost depends on the predetermined amount of time that storage will take place. There is an additional storage fee of approximately $100 per year.

Donating Cord Blood

Those who do not wish to store cord blood can make a free donation to a non-profit cord blood bank, foundation, or other facility. The cord blood is stored for anyone who may be a match and in need. Cord blood donation is an easy process that can be directed by the obstetrician.

Umbilical cord blood banking is a very easy process for the donor, whether it is for private cord blood banking or for cord blood donation. Private cord blood banking does have an initial cost and an annual cost, but it is well worth it for those who unexpectedly need those valuable stem cells for treatment.