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Cord Blood Banking

Cord blood, is the blood that remains in your baby's umbilical cord and placenta after the cord is cut. It is a rich source of powerful stem cells, which can be used to treat over 75 life-threatening diseases such as leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and other serious blood and immune disorders. A common source of stem cells is bone marrow, which, unfortunately, has many limitations. More than 20% of patients in need are unable to find a bone marrow donor, and that number soars to more than 60% for some minority populations. Saving cord blood is a unique solution because the stem cells are "banked" and immediately available for patients to use and because cord blood can be used in many cases where bone marrow cannot. Collecting your baby's cord blood is painless, poses no risk to you or your baby, only takes a few minutes, and may be lifesaving to your family or someone else's.

In 2003, Illinois amended the Hospital Licensing Act to offer pregnant women the option to donate their babies' cord blood to a public cord blood facility for use by patients searching for a stem cell donor. You now have three options regarding your baby's cord blood:

Please review this information so you can make an informed decision about your baby's cord blood. Talk to your doctor, midwife, or childbirth educator during weeks 28–30 of your pregnancy. The following guide provides basic facts about cord blood options as well as resources for more information.

Why do families donate or bank cord blood?

Donation: To increase our national supply of cord blood samples. A large bank of cord blood samples will help save people unable to find a suitable stem cell match within their family.
Family Banking: Guarantees your baby's sample for your family members. Stem cells for a relative are most preferred source for treating many diseases because survival rates double compared to using unrelated samples from a public bank (63% family vs. 29% public).

What will happen to my baby's cord blood?

Donation: Donated cord blood can be used for patients searching for a donor or used for research. Eligibility to donate is based on the parents' health history. By donating her baby's cord blood, a mother relinquishes all future rights to the sample.
Family Banking: Your baby's cord blood is processed and stored exclusively for future use by your baby and family. Privately banked samples are immediately available for use by your family.

Does it cost anything to bank cord blood?

Donation: There is no cost to collect and publicly donate cord blood.
Family Banking: It costs $1,500–1,800 to collect and process your baby's cord blood. There is also an annual storage fee of around $100. Many banks offer affordable payment plans.

What steps do I need to take before my baby's cord blood is collected?

Donation: Make arrangements with a donor bank. Prior to donation, both parents must complete a health history form. The mother must give her consent to cord blood collection and storage.
Family Banking: Make arrangements with a family bank. Expectant parents receive a collection kit to take with them to the hospital. Families pay a fee once the family bank processes and stores the cord blood.

Where can I get more information about cord blood banking and donation?

Donation: To learn more about public donation of your baby's cord blood, visit the Cord Blood Foundation at www.cordblooddonor.org.
Family Banking: For information on family banking, contact Cord Blood Registry, 1–888–CORD BLOOD or www.cordblood.com.