Why save it?
Stem-cell-rich umbilical cord blood is currently being used to treat more than 70 life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and cerebral palsy. Every year, about 30,000 people are diagnosed with diseases that can be treated with cord blood.
How is it collected?
It takes obstetricians, nurse midwives, nurses, or trained technicians about five minutes to collect stem-cell blood after the birth of your baby, which is freezed immediately for later use. The collection procedure is safe, sterile, and causes no discomfort at all to you or your newborn.
How is it used?
If you elect to save your baby’s cord blood at a private bank, it will be stored for future use by your family if needed. You may donate your baby’s blood to the state’s only public cord-blood bank, New Jersey Cord Blood Bank (NJCBB), operated by Community Blood Services, at no charge. It then becomes available for use by any person with a life-threatening disease who may need it. Generally, an expectant mother interested in donation should contact the bank before the 34th week of pregnancy. (Visit communitybloodservices.org/cordblood.php.)
How much does it cost?
If you collect your baby’s cord blood in a private bank, you’ll pay from $1,000 to $2,000 initially, plus an annual fee of $125 or so to store it. There may be other fees for a collection kit, courier service, and initial processing.
What is placental-blood banking?
Placental blood, like cord blood, is rich in stem cells, and is now being collected by some public and private banks. By collecting and banking both types of blood, the total yield of stem cells is increased. Though the two collection procedures are often performed together, the blood is processed and banked separately. Blood in public banks may be used for research.
Read more on NJ Family:
C-Sections and VBACs: What You Need to Know
