Cord Blood Storage
Everyday, cord blood storage is becoming more and more recognized, since it is well known that saving an infant’s umbilical cord blood for cord blood storage, could be helpful to protect the infant or any other family member in case of a life-threatening disease. This is possible given that cord blood is the richest source of stem cells and is a constant supplier of these life-giving cells.
A testimony of a new mother shows the importance of preserving the newborn’s umbilical cord blood stem cells. She got informed about the afterbirth procedure to save her child’s umbilical cord blood for later on cryo-preserve in case it might be needed later. She had never heard the expression cryo-preserve before. Therefore, she started studying the technique and found out it is the process of cooling and storing cells, organs or tissues at very low temperatures. After the umbilical cord is cut, the stem cells are collected by appropriate personnel. At that moment, the cells are packaged in a special kit which is sent to the lab. These cells must be sent within 24-30 hours after the cord is cut. She also learned that the collected stem cells regularly discarded at birth, are the building blocks of our immune systems. They create the white cells that combat infections, red cells that transport oxygen throughout the body, and platelets that contribute to healing. If it is needed, umbilical cord blood stem cells can be substituted for bone marrow stem cells in transplants, often used to combat diseases, such as anemia, bubble baby disease, leukemia, sickle cell disease.
Previous to all these procedures, decision had to be made weeks before the expected delivery date. There are different fees for cold blood storage ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 for the first year. Additionally, an annual storage fee is charged; prices range from $50 to $100. The difference between these prices is that some banks have on site laboratories where the whole processing is done, while other banks need to send the samples out for processing.
The cells are stored at a laboratory in a cryogenic surrounding with the most advanced technology for cellular storage system at excessive low temperatures, where all cellular activity stops. If in the future the necessity of using them emerges, they are thawed and cellular activity begins for an additional time. Hopefully, in a near future, collecting placental umbilical cord will be as common as annual papanicolaou smear.