Who participates in cord blood storage?

Expectant mothers can get the administrative wheels turning and inquire about cord blood storage. Just ask your physician or midwife. They will surely have some information or links to resources.

What is cord blood storage?

Cord blood storage captures about 1/3 of a cup of the blood from the umbilical cord at the time of a newborn’s delivery. Cord blood contains a very high density of stem cells (70 million in the standard sample size) that can later be used to treat blood and immune system related genetic diseases, cancers and blood disorders. Cord blood storage is the deep-freezing of the cord blood sample in a cryogenic state. The life of the cells is literally frozen, until brought out of that state.

When is cord blood storage done?

The process of cord blood storage starts just after the birth of a newborn when the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. Blood is drawn from the cord and stored in a sterile environment until it can be transferred to a cord blood storage facility. Reinvigorating the cells after preservation does not appear to have any limits. The earliest harvested cells in cord blood storage are over 15 years old now and show no signs of deterioration.

Where does cord blood storage occur?

The umbilical cord is taken at the time of a newborn’s delivery immediately in the delivery room. Cord blood storage takes place at both private and public storage facilities. In the private instance there are fees involved, and contributors can access private storage banks for family members. In the public instance, there is no cost; donation is anonymous, and the bank is accessed by many non-related people, who are compatible with donors’ cells.  However, those stem cells are no longer owned by the family and are available to the general public.

Why is cord blood storage so important?

Cord blood storage provides an invaluable service in the treatment of diseases. For the most part, cord blood stem cells are utilized in transplant medicine to regenerate a patient’s blood and immune system after they have been treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation to destroy cancer cells. The list of diseases where stem cells can assist the healing process is absolutely impressive, and supports the value of cord blood storage. The disease list includes leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, various other cancers, blood diseases, hereditary/genetic conditions and immune system disorders. In addition, current research on the value of cord blood storage holds significant promise for improving the treatment of some of the most common diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s.

Delivery rooms provide the starting point in the process of cord blood banking

Many people will take the time and make the sacrifice to provide some form of assistance to others in need.  What about the possibility of making a small sacrifice that can potentially rescue someone else from a challenging disease or life-threatening medical condition? Most would make such a sacrifice, and many make such sacrifices every day.

Every day in hospital delivery rooms across the USA and other countries, the practice of cord blood banking is conducted as willing new mothers donate umbilical cords at birth previously used to nourish their newborns. This step is the starting point for cord blood banking – which involves the storage of cells taken from cord blood at incredibly low temperatures (down to -190 degrees). More precisely, cord blood is harvested within a mere 30 seconds of the newborn’s arrival; the umbilical cord is clamped and cut as usual, with the cord being transferred to a lab for cryopreservation. Importantly to this sacrifice for cord blood banking doesn’t cause any discomfort whatsoever for either mother or the new born.

Not a lot of cord blood is required for the storage process – just 75 ml on average (about 1/3 of a cup), but there are a number of ways to process a cord blood unit. Within the cord blood banking realm there are differing opinions on the best method for processing; some separate out the red blood cells and remove them while others keep the red blood cells. Generally speaking, though, both methods have proved to be equally effective.

Is cord blood banking safe?

Before blood from the umbilical cord is put in storage it undergoes viral tests including testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and tissue typing, to insure safety. In addition, the National Cord Blood Program, located in New York, reports that cord blood stored over long periods of time shows no signs of deterioration whatsoever. The longest stored cord blood banking samples are now approximately sixteen years old and have been effectively transplanted just as successfully as the more current specimens.

So, the process is easy, safe and can be stored over long periods of time. The process of cord blood banking has been developed and perfected to today’s current scientific standards. Cord blood banking offers hope to many folks afflicted with blood disorders, immune deficiencies and genetic diseases – all based on the simple thoughtfulness and generosity of a new mom and her baby.

Umbilical cord blood storage is relevant today as research has proven that cord blood, the blood in a baby’s umbilical cord is one of the best sources for adult stem cells. It is used for the re-population of the patient’s bone marrow after a session of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as well as many other uses. It can be collected immediately after birth and stored for future potential use by the baby, matching siblings or any HLA matched unrelated patient. Prior to these discoveries, cord blood was discarded as biological waste.

Cord blood storage begins by collecting umbilical blood in blood collection bags that hold 250 ml of blood. Anticoagulant is added to the bag to prevent the blood from clotting.  Once the blood is collected, it is sent to the blood bank center for processing, testing and storage.  Research has shown that optimal cells can be recovered if the specimen is processed within 48 hours of collection.  A cord blood company should be utilizing processing methods in which the cord blood is processed in a closed system. This system limits the bacterial contamination of the cord blood.

The first step of cord blood processing lies in the removal of red blood cells to insure stem cell viability.  Each cord blood company utilizes a different method of processing steps ranging from chemical reagents, to centrifuging the specimen, to automation.  The critical cells are then cryogenically stored in liquid or vapor nitrogen systems at a temperature of -190 degrees Celsius.  These stored units should be equipped with electrical power generators in case of a power failure.

Cord blood storage is the preservation of the cord blood taken from the umbilical cord during birth. The reason cord blood is collected is because it is a rich source of stem cells that may prove to be effective in treating many health problems and conditions. This is why families are now considering the benefits of cord blood storage for their newborn.

In fact, with cord blood storage, many families believe they are protecting their child’s future. This is because stem cells can be used for treating a myriad of diseases. Being rich in stem cells, cord blood is considered to be a life saving resource for both your child, and for your entire family. Also, there is no lengthy procedure involved in cord blood storage.

Cord blood storage is a process that is safe, painless and only takes about fifteen minutes. Once this blood is stored, and the child or some other member of the has a source for treatment of leukemia or certain other blood diseases; the stem cells of the blood may, in fact, save their lives.

Cord blood storage is done in two storage methods. It can be stored in ‘full liquid’ which means that that tank that stores the blood is full of nitrogen at a temperature of 190 degree Celsius. The other storage alternative is in ‘vapor’ where nitrogen is not in liquid form, but found in vapor form at a temperature of 130 degrees.

There are pros and cons with each method however the industry generally recommends storing in vapor. Though it was easier to maintain temperature in tanks with full liquid nitrogen, the latest storage tanks have improved so that it is possible to maintain a consistent temperature in the tanks.

In addition to consistent temperature, there have been certain hesitations about cord blood storage in full liquid. This is simply because it is easier and possible for infectious diseases to infect other specimens in liquid.  Once the cord blood specimen is stored, the temperature of the samples are monitored electronically and alarms notify the laboratory personnel in the case of a severe change in temperature.

To date, approximately 8,000 people worldwide have received medical therapies using the stem cells saved from a newborn’s umbilical cord during cord blood storage. Among the diseases treated: leukemia, breast cancer, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, various other cancers, blood diseases, hereditary/genetic conditions and immune system disorders.

The process of cord blood storage is very simple – just after the birth of a newborn the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. Blood is drawn from the cord and stored in a sterile environment until it can be transferred to a cord blood storage facility. The stem cells from that blood can eventually be utilized (after testing and matching) in rebuilding the blood or immune systems.

Historical Benchmarks in Cord Blood Storage

By participating in cord blood storage you and your child contribute to a rich history of life saving events.

1983 – First proposal of the concept of using umbilical cord blood as an alternative source of stem cells for transplant. The basic function of cord blood stem cells is similar to bone marrow cells, though cord blood cells are viewed as more versatile because a perfect tissue match between donor and recipient is not necessary.

1988 – First successful cord blood transplant to regenerate blood and immune cells in Paris, France, on a six-year old boy suffering from Fanconi’s Anemia, a blood disorder.

1992 – The New York Blood Center established the first cord blood storage facility through funding provided by the National Institutes of Health.

1993 – First cord blood transplant takes place between a donor and recipient not related to one another.

1995 – First family cord blood storage facility opens.

1998 – 12-year old was the first successful transplant patient to benefit from using cord blood storage to cure sickle cell anemia. According to the National Cord Blood Program, one year after transplant, Keone was cured.

2004 – Health and Human Services Appropriations Act for Fiscal year 2004 provides funds to create a national cord blood storage program.

2004 – Illinois becomes first state to enact legislation to mandate that birthing women have the option to donate their baby’s umbilical cord blood to a public cord blood storage facility at no cost.

2006 – More than 8,000 cord blood transplants have been performed worldwide.

Moving Forward in Cord Blood Storage

In just 20 years the medical field has made incredible strides in treating life-threatening diseases, and in the case of cord blood stem cells the advances have been incredible. It is proven to be a safe procedure, and one of low-risk/high reward for the recipients. Stem cell storage continues to be a vital part of these advances and we look forward to what the future brings as more expectant moms opt for cord blood storage.

With all the excitement over a new pregnancy, parents reading a pamphlet on cord blood storage may not be as high on their list as, say, decorating the nursery. However, cord blood storage, also know as stem cell preservation, marks one of the most exciting ways that the new life about to enter the world will impact those around it. New parents have a chance to use cord blood storage to save lives.

Since 1990, doctors have used the ability to gather and preserve some of the ultra-rich stem cells that thrive in the blood of a newborn’s umbilical cord. The process known as cord blood storage is quite simply getting umbilical blood to a lab after drawing it from the severed umbilical cord at birth and putting it in to a deep freeze. The cord blood storage, or cryogenic process is so effective that cells remain viable for more than 20 years and may show minimal deterioration.

The “good part” of the cord blood storage story

Stem cells are among the most dynamic and adaptable cells in the entire body, and they can be found in a baby’s umbilical cord blood. Once retrieved from cord blood storage (the state of being cryogenically frozen), the cells may be utilized in a number of ways.

Currently, stem cells are most commonly utilized in transplant medicine to regenerate a patient’s blood and immune system after the patient has been treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation to destroy cancer cells. The list of diseases where stem cells can assist with the healing process is lengthy, and supports the value of cord blood storage a many times over. The list includes leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, various other cancers, blood diseases, hereditary/genetic conditions and immune system disorders. In addition, current research holds significant promise for improving the treatment of some of the most common diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s with the stem cells preserved during cord blood storage.

There are mixed opinions about cord blood because of the media attention on stem cell research and treatment.  Important issues of ethics, genetic disorders associated with family history and ethnicity surface in discussions about stem cell cord blood.

When harvesting cord blood donations to be stored, the recipient’s compatibility is an essential part of equation.

The ease of obtaining cord blood as opposed to bone marrow makes it convenient. This makes it more readily available for the cord blood donor than the bone marrow donor and makes the process of retrieving easier.

Cord blood storage benefits all races and ethnic groups.  The most important advantage in storing cord blood is the availability at the time when someone’s life needs to be saved. Cord blood that is already stored at the cord blood bank may be used for transplants and to help treat some diseases.

There is no pain associated with umbilical cord blood collecting to either mother or child.  Due to the compatibility of cord blood cell to family members, cord blood storage is becoming more widely used.

Some cord blood storage banks run by private companies charge thousands of dollars to hold the umbilical cord blood and a fee up to $150 for annual maintenance.

Some private cord blood storage companies also charge for the cord blood collection kit, charge to have a courier pick it up and charge the initial processing procedure at the storage facility.

Cord blood storage addresses the possible need and continued demand for help in treating diseases and as an additional method of saving lives. In cases of emergencies, cord blood storage facilities may be the saving grace of many people seeking treatment. Although doctors are at the beginning stages of experience with stem cells, some have begun to look to cord blood storage facilities for help.

Cord blood storage banks are required to store blood in vials or in bags. This storage method is important to keep the blood safe from contamination. Cord blood storage banks also can help viability by placing cord blood in smaller quantities or samples to make specimens available to more people.

Cord blood storage provides a quicker way to get help for patients who are in poor health conditions. These cord blood storage facilities can store blood long-term.  Preservation of the cord blood sample is important to the cord blood storage and so professional care is taken to make sure that it is stored properly.

Cord blood storage is a controversial topic with intelligent, informed opponents on both sides of the debate. This debate makes it very difficult for parents to make an informed decision regarding their own baby’s cord blood. Should you store your baby’s cord blood as a protection against future diseases, or is the process overly encouraged by medical researchers and the media?

While no one can tell you to invest in cord blood storage or not to, you owe it to yourself to know all the facts before you pass on the opportunity. Here are some key facts that will help you make an informed decision:

• Thousands upon thousands of stem cell transplants are performed each year on patients using their own cord blood. Diseases treated with cord blood include many types of cancers including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and tumors. Thousands more transplants are performed on family members using a relative’s cord blood.

• There is a 1 in 435 chance that your baby will need his or her own cord blood within his/her lifetime. There is a 1 in 400 chance that a family member will benefit from a relative’s cord blood storage. Keep in mind that this is the current likelihood. As more research is performed, more uses for stem cells will be developed.

• One in 630 children will develop cancer before they reach the age of fifteen.

• New studies have shown a wide range of use for cord blood and stem cells. In fact, many researchers believe that stem cells can be used to reverse brain damage sustained in a stroke or traumatic accident.

If there are so many advantages associated with cord blood storage, why aren’t more people doing it? There simply are not enough public banks to accept donations and private banks have a cost. Cord blood storage involves long-term cold storage, and there aren’t enough facilities offering this type of storage to accommodate all cord blood banking requests. In fact, only 30% of cord blood that qualifies for banking actually gets banked due to limited space and resources.

At the end of the day, you owe it to yourself to investigate all of the facts and opportunities available to you regarding cord blood storage. Research cord blood banks and make an informed decision after all of the facts are in.

If you are in the process of trying to preserve your child’s umbilical cord blood, you need to know how effective these methods are and how stem cells are preserved. Cord blood storage is a costly procedure, so finding out details before you proceed is important.

In the process of cold blood storage, the umbilical cord blood is stored in a special bag or a syringe and taken to a blood bank. The health professional will then label the bag or syringe with the donor’s name, birth date and any other relevant facts. The blood is then assigned a registration number to identify it. After that the umbilical cord blood is sent to a processing laboratory to undergo a cryopreservation process.

At the storage lab, the blood temperature is reduced slowly so that it does not go into temperature shock. The reduction will read no less than -190 degrees. After the temperature of the umbilical cord blood is reduced, the blood then goes to a liquid nitrogen tank to keep the temperature steadily at -190 degrees.  As long as the cord blood is stored and preserved correctly in these different forms of storages, it can potentially last forever.

If you donate the umbilical cord blood to a public bank, the stem cells may be used for saving the lives of others. This storage will cost you nothing, and it may save a life because doctors and researchers can pull from these banks to find cures and treat patients in need. But, however, there is a shortage of public cord blood banks. Most facilities are at their capacity and many donors are turned away because there just isn’t any room or resources to store more cord blood. More funding is desperately needed so that research and storage can be expanded.