5 Things You Should Know About Cord Stem Cell Banking

January 21, 2014 sarah Uncategorized

Cord blood, derived from the umbilical cord soon after the birth of a baby, is the main source for stem cells. Chances are you’ve already heard many people talking about stem cell transplant and why you need to bank them. Do you really, really need it? And if you do, what else do you need to think about before deciding on a bank? Not only will you get details on cord stem cell banking, but all the info you’ll need to consider before choosing a bank.

The pros for stem cells first

· It’s simple really. You are providing yourself with better treatment alternatives by storing your stem cells. Stem cells can provide your children with healthy cells to help treat against life threatening diseases. Even hard to treat diseases such as leukemia, spinal cord injuries and heart diseases can be treated through stem cell transplants.

· Cord stem cell banking does not involve any injury or pain to the mother or the child. Since the cells are sourced at the umbilical cord that is thrown away after the birth, there is no pain involved.

· Cord stem cell banking is very helpful when you need transplants for the parents or for a sibling also. When a patient needs a bone marrow transplant, he faces a lot of risk. This is because the transplant may be rejected by the body. It’s rare for a stem cell to be rejected. It can be used in the treatment of diseases like leukemia, brain tumors, cell disorders and congenital disturbances of the immune system.

And now the cons

· Of course, if there are no cases of genetically transmitted diseases in your family, you will not stand to gain a lot from cord stem cell banking.

· It doesn’t come cheap. Be prepared to pay $2000 for the banking, and then roughly $100 per year after that. If you do not really run a risk of a genetic disease, these are costs you need not bear!

How do I choose a Cord stem cell banking facility?

It’s very simple. Once you have decided on banking the stem cells, ask yourself these questions:

· Would you like to go for public banking or a private facility?

· Is the bank stable?

· Check how big the facility is – facilities that handles large numbers of samples are more likely to have better procedures and infrastructure to handle the cells.

· Can you choose a different facility later?

· What are the costs involved? What is the lump sum you have to pay and what about the yearly fee? Is this affordable?

· How will these costs affect your savings in the long run? Are the costs going to be the same or will they change over time?

· Will you need to compromise on anything in order to ensure cord stem cell banking?

While it’s not easy to make the decision, it can be a very vital one. Consider all the factors before you decide on what is right for you.

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