| Why store cord blood? |
You ensure your child has quick and exclusive access to hematopoietic stem cells if they ever need them. |
Donating cord blood is a humane deed. By doing this you can help patients in need of blood-forming stem cells from a donor. |
| What are the restrictions for cord blood storage? |
Nearly every family can decide for private storage. Cord blood isn’t collected only when the mother suffered a serious infection during the pregnancy. |
The donor mother must undergo a selection process based on certain criteria given by legislation and the requirements of transplant centres. |
| What happens to cord blood after collection? |
After collection the cord blood of your child it is processed and cryopreserved for future use. |
Suitable cord blood is selected for international exchange, where it is available for patients anywhere in the world. Rejected cord blood (about 70%) can be used for research or is destroyed. |
| What are my rights to the stored cord blood? |
The child has full and exclusive rights to its cord blood. |
Donated cord blood is in the ownership of the public cord blood bank. The parents have no guarantee that it will be available for the child if it is needed. |
| How much does it cost? |
The parents pay a single payment for the collection and processing and a yearly payment for storage. |
There is no payment by parents if cord blood is donated. All costs are paid for by the cord blood bank. |
| Do the parents pay extra if cord blood is to be used for treatment? |
No, in the case of standard umbilical cord blood treatment parents do not pay additional cost. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a treatment paid for by insurance companies. |
The parents don’t pay any additional cost when cord blood is used for hematopoetic stem cells transplantation; the procedure is covered by health insurance. |
