Advice and discussion about banking your baby's cord blood.
- I used Cryo-Cell, which has been very good. It is a publicly-traded company, so its financial future seems somewhat intact. They also charge much less money for the storage fee, but the yearly fee is comparable to that of other companies (Viacord, etc.) - May 8, 2006
- After doing some research, we decided to go with Viacord. We looked at the three major cord storage firms (I don't remember the names of the others), and felt that Viacord had the best reputation, storage facilities, collection, and courier pickup procedures. Viacord was also the most financially stable (in our opinion) and had been around a long time. However, they were also the most expensive of the three we looked at. My girlfriend did substantial research on which company to use to store her child's cord blood, and her top choice was Cryo-Cell International, which is a publicly-traded company. While this company's monthly storage rate is slightly higher, their initial sign-up fee is considerably lower as they do not include the transportation costs of the cord blood. With Cryo-Cell, you arrange the pick-up of the cord blood. They suggest a company to use which charges around $195 in NYC; other companies charge around $600 to do it for you. Plus, as a publicly-traded company, their financial details are available, while all of the other companies are privately held. If you go to their website (www.cryo-cell.com), they provide a summary chart listing information for all of their competitors (fees, locations, etc.) I found this very helpful. - August 2005
- We used Lifebank for both babies and have only great things to say. They were professional, easy to contact, and lead you though the entire process again and again if you need (and we did the first time around). The kit they send for the OB and nurses to use got rave reviews from both our OB and the nurses at the hospital. The nurses commented on the ease of the kit and other more technical issues that they liked about it. I only mention the kit because it is the probably the most important part of the process; it is where it all starts. www.lifebankusa.com 1-877-543-3226 - April 18, 2005
- It appears to be a racket that preys on new mothers' fears and relies on sketchy research to justify itself. - April 20, 2005
- I had Hodgkin's Disease (lymphatic cancer), and because stem cell transplants are a primary treatment in case of relapse, I was particularly interested in banking cord blood. My oncologist felt (this was 3 years ago, btw) that while it was a nice idea in theory the technology was simply not there yet to support any meaningful outcome. She told me that the other oncologists/hematologists with whom she had discussed the issue at a recent conference felt it was fear-mongering on the part of private companies and that if such a practice ever were to come about it would not be through these groups and is still a good ways away. Another friend in medicine, herself a cancer survivor, pointed out that using these companies could be seen as privatized hoarding. She was hopeful that if any good were ever to come from cord blood banking, resources would go toward creating public banks. - April 20, 2005
- The donation request from my doctor took place within minutes of my daughter's birth, when I wasn't focused on cord donation at all. Of course, I said, "yes, go ahead," as I would've felt like an ogre if I hadn't. Then, when my mother got sick recently, I fantasized that if I'd done the banking, I might be able to help "save" her, or bring her health back. - April 20, 2005
- I am suspicious about cord blood banking. My view is based on conversations during my pregnancy when I attended two different work events about reproductive health technologies. I spoke to a few scientists doing top-of-the-line genetic work and asked them about banking. They all said that it was unlikely that there would be any practical individualized use for banked cords or cord blood in the foreseeable future, and they were pretty shocked at the private companies marketing this (and the rates they charged). I was bombarded with literature from the cord companies once they had received my initial request, and most of it was fear-mongering (what if something happens, don't let this unique opportunity pass, etc). Ultimately I donated the cord blood to the Red Cross (via the midwife program I used at a Boston hospital). There is apparently a very slim risk that a disease would occur and that it would be one that could be "cured," particularly given the technology that exists and is likely to exist in the future AND the small amount of actual blood. - April 20, 2005
- I used Cryo-Cell for my two daughters. While the price went up recently I still believe they are the cheapest and most widely used. They have their own storage facility which allows them to charge less but maintain standards. - April 20, 2005
- We banked our babies' cord blood with Viacord and have been very satisfied with the company. They also sent us a wealth of info on cord storage, and their rep was almost too thorough. They are very organized and good with follow-up. We were very pleased with them. - April 18, 2005
- A month or two ago, I asked one of the pediatric oncologists at Sloan Kettering with whom I work quite closely what he advises prospective parents regarding banking. He replied that he advises against it because of the expense, the lack of regulation of the commercial firms, and the very slim likelihood that the material will be useful or even viable at the time one needs it. He also advises against it because other technologies (e.g., unmatched donor cord blood, stem cell transplants, etc.) are more likely to be successful now and in the future. This doesn't mean one shouldn't do the banking, but rather that one shouldn't feel that one is passing up an irreplaceable opportunity in electing not to do it. - April 20, 2005
- Unfortunately the amount of diseases claimed to be cured by cord blood are not that many. There is no proof that the blood will last 18 years, as is recommended that it be stored for. In addition, if your child has a genetic ailment, his or her own cord blood could not be used, as it contains the ailment in it as well. We also read that the American Academy of Pediatrics only recommends such banking where there is an immediate need for it, as in the case of a friend whose mother had terminal breast cancer. Therefore, if my friend ever needed a transplant, she has her daughter's cord blood banked for that reason. The only problem I have with donating my baby's cord blood is that it contains genetic material. Donating that really does concern me, however irrational that might be. - April 20, 2005
- After discussions with our doctor and a little research, we decided to donate to a local cord blood bank. The odds that we will need the blood seemed low, and perhaps this way, we can help others if there is a need for it. And, because of the rarity of "matches," we were told that if we do need it in the future, there is still a chance that it might be available. - April 20, 2005
- About donation: if you happen to deliver at New York Hospital (whatever it is now called - the one on East 68th St.), you can donate to the New York Blood Center's National Cord Blood Program. My OB practice really pushed it over private collection. - April 20, 2005
- When we were looking into this, we found out that there were other hospitals in NY (but not too many) that collected donated cord blood. It is all administered by the New York Blood Center, which has information on where you can donate. There are also private companies that accept donated cord blood; it is free to donate, but then I believe they sell it--it doesn't go to a public bank. - April 20, 2005
- I resented having it asked of me just moments after the birth, when I really wasn't "me," if you know what I mean. I have worried ever since the collection. I couldn't imagine saying no to this doctor after she had just gotten me through the birth process.
- I did some research into banking cord blood when I was pregnant a couple of years ago and found information that discourages it because it requires you to clamp the umbilical cord before the blood is completely pumped out of the placenta which shortchanges your baby of the blood he/she is supposed to have. Look at cordclamping.com for more info. - April 20, 2005
- I banked my child’s blood, and I am glad I did it. If we never use it, fine; if we ever need to, how fantastic will it be that it is there? I want to encourage research that takes advantage of this type of stuff. I also reviewed cases where cord blood was used, and it was enough to convince me that those 200 bucks (or whatever it was) and 50 bucks a years was no big deal. My midwife retrieved the blood just prior to the cord being cut; it was no big deal. When I think of how most babies are born these days, I think a little cord blood retrieval is just not that big a deal. The transfer from cord sustenance to air/breast sustenance is 90% over by the time they do this. So, again, I may be going against the grain here, but I think that this type of retrieval and all that it portends for stem cell research is wonderful. I had looked into it during my pregnancy and spoken to a few stem-cell types who thought there was too remote a chance of being helpful to justify paying the large sums they charge. After much research and speaking to my brother (who is an orthopedic surgeon), we decided to bank our baby's cord blood with CBR. Right now, stem cells are used for fighting leukemia, but the thought is that someday the cells could help fight additional diseases for your family and your baby; mostly, it's a kind of insurance. - April 20, 2005
- I recently attended a lecture given by a pediatric hematologist-oncologist from Columbia University. Her take on it was that if your child develops leukemia or some other cancer-type disease where stem cell therapy is called for, the cord blood is invaluable. However, statistically speaking, these diseases are very rare. I guess the things to think about are: 1. Is there enough of a risk to justify the expense? 2. Will the research on the applications of stem cell therapy discover new uses for the treatment in years to come, making it more likely that you could use it? My personal belief is that cord blood banking would be a much more valuable resource if everyone did it. Then there'd be a pool from which to choose that any sick person could use, but this would require a large public health expenditure and lots of people to participate. There would also be no guarantee that your cord blood would be available for you, as someone else might need it first. (This was also the lecturer's position.) It's a tricky/sticky issue. On a personal note, we chose not to do it, but I completely understand the appeal. - August 15, 2005
- We spoke to several doctors and my hematologist/oncologist and opted for donating to a public cord bank. Here's why: 1) Most childhood cancers have a genetic component. In these cases, one's own cord blood could not be used. 2) Currently, the amount of stem cells collected at one birth is not enough to treat an adult patient; for adults it is necessary to pool donations from several donors. So unless other people have made donations to public cord banks that match your profile, your private stash won't be sufficient. I would ask your gyn/ob and your pediatrician. I didn't do it because the chances that it would be needed, and then that it could actually be used, were quite slim. If money is no issue, however, (I think it costs an initial grand or 2 and then 100 or so each year to store), then just get it. You can't really go wrong. - April 20, 2005
- Knowing that this topic has been brought up several times I wanted to let everyone know the April 2006 edition of Parents has an interesting article on blood cord banking. One topic is that if a family member has already been diagnosed with a stem-cell treatable disease the family won't have to foot the bill. The Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute in California will bank a baby's cord blood for free if a family member needs it at the time of the baby's birth. Some private banks, such as Cord Registry, Cryo-Cell and ViaCord, have similar programs. Another interesting thing is that few cord-blood transplants have been given to adults because must units don't contain enough stem cells to treat anyone weighing more than 90 pounds. And no one knows how many years the frozen units will remain viable. - March 10, 2006
- From what I understand, cord blood banking is expensive (thousands of dollars in storage fees), and the chances that your child or another family member will be in need of the cord blood is so low that the money might be better spent protecting your child's life in other ways (good nutrition, medical care, seat belts, etc.) However, if you have lots and lots of extra money around and want to be "on the safe side" just in case, the blood might be needed, then go ahead. Don't be guilt-tripped by the advertisements and the occasional "so glad I did it story" because they are anecdotal and the overwhelming majority of those who store it will not use it. -November 11, 2005
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