FAQ

Q: What is Cord Blood?
A: Cord Blood, or more appropriately, Umbilical Cord Blood is the blood which remains in the afterbirth or placenta, as well as in the attached umbilical cord after child birth

Q: Why is it so important?
A: There are various medical reasons for wanting to store your child's Cord Blood. Primarily, Cord Blood is rich in stem cells which can be used to treat a variety of genetic and hematopoietic disorders.  Your child's cord blood will be more effective should he or she ever require stem cell treatment, as it is already matched to your child's genetic predisposition.

Q: What is a Cord Blood Bank?
A: Cord Blood Banks are medical institutions which help you retrieve and store your child's cord blood for future use.  There are two types of banks, Public and Private.  Public Cord Blood Banks accept donations which can then be matched to patients in the public who may need certain medical treatments.  Public Cord Blood Banks must ensure that the Cord Blood is tested rigorously for various diseases and impurities before being placed into circulation.  There is no guarantee that should your child will be able to gain access to Cord Blood donated to a public Bank.

Private Cord Blood Banks are privately operated for profit institutions which will charge you an initial processing fee, as well as yearly storage fees.  On average, Private Cord Blood Banks will cost approximately $2500 for processing and storage.  Additional fees may be included on a yearly basis for insurance and other bank specific programs. 


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