Choosing a Reputable Cord Blood Bank
Selecting a highly accredited and certified company for banking cord blood can help you better prepare for your family’s potential future health needs. For parents considering stem cell storage, choosing a reputable cord blood bank is often a concern. How do expecting parents determine which cord blood bank to use to store their children’s stem cells? Expecting parents often contact a cord blood bank that provides soon-to-be parents with information about cord blood banking and stem cell treatments in order to help them make informed decisions about their families’ cord blood banking needs. Other criteria expecting parents use to select a cord blood bank include: the quality of the cord blood storage facility; the experience the cord blood bank has in releasing cord blood stem cells for patient use; the cord blood research capabilities of the cord blood bank; and whether the cord blood bank collects stem cells from other viable sources, such as the placenta, to augment the cord blood collection and improve its treatment potential. When the banked stem cells are needed to treat a potentially life-threatening disease requiring hematopoietic (blood forming) reconstitution, having a second unit of stem cells can be lifesaving should there be any complications with one of the two units of stem cells. New technology has expanded cord blood banking options and made it possible for families to bank stem cells from 2 sources. This cord blood banking service, known as Placenta-Cord banking, enables parents to bank 2 units of stem cells instead of just 1, by banking both placenta-derived stem cells and cord blood. This unique combination can collect the most stem cells possible—and the more CD34+ stem cells transplanted has been shown to improve transplant success and patient survival.
The chance that a child will use his/her own stored cells during their lifetime is estimated at 1 in 400 (J.J. Nietfeld and F. Verter). These odds may increase if there is a family history of certain blood disorders or cancers. The potential risks and benefits of stem cell transplantation vary and depend on many factors, such as the amount and quality of the stem cells collected, the HLA compatibility between recipient and donor, and the client’s overall health. Talk with your health care provider. For more information, call 1-877-LIFEBANKUSA (1-877-543-3226) or visit www.lifebankusa.com
admin @ June 7, 2008
