Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
How long can cord blood be stored?
Cord blood stem cells are known for their longevity. When stored correctly in cryogenic temperatures, using liquid nitrogen vapor-phase storage tanks, these cells can remain viable for decades, potentially throughout your child’s entire life. This ensures that they are available whenever they might be needed in the future.
Can I delay cord clamping if I bank cord blood?
Absolutely. Delaying clamping of the umbilical cord after birth is perfectly compatible with cord blood banking. Research has shown that delayed clamping doesn’t significantly impact the quantity of stem cells collected.
Can stem cells be used to treat diseases other than blood diseases?
Cord blood stem cells are already providing therapeutic benefits far beyond just blood disorders. To date, they've successfully treated over 80 different diseases, including metabolic conditions, immune deficiencies, and cancers. With over 1,000 active clinical trials, the range of stem cell-treatable conditions continues rapidly expanding into areas like cerebral palsy, autism, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and more.
What are the chances that my baby will use his/her stem cells later in life?
The latest data indicates children born today have an 87% chance of developing a condition like heart disease, osteoarthritis, diabetes, stroke or dementia over their lifetime - all areas where stem cell therapies offer great promise. Since 1988, there have already been over 40,000 cord blood transplants worldwide for conditions like leukemia and sickle cell anemia. Preserving this biological resource maximizes your child's future treatment options as regenerative medicine advances.
Why should I go with Securicord?
As an FDA-registered and AABB-accredited facility, Securicord adheres to the highest standards for processing and long-term cryogenic storage of cord blood stem cells. We participate in rigorous proficiency testing overseen by the College of American Pathologists to ensure our laboratory protocols and quality control measures meet or exceed industry requirements.
What is the difference between private and public cord blood banking?
Public cord blood banks collect donated units for public use, with no guarantee of availability if your child needs it later. With private banking through Securicord, your newborn's cord blood is reserved solely for your family's use - a personal biological insurance policy for life.
Should I bank cord blood for each child?
While siblings have a 50% chance of being an adequate stem cell match, banking each child's cord blood guarantees they will have a perfect genetic match preserved. With no rejection risks, this maximizes their future treatment options. Many parents choose to bank for each child.
Do you need a family history to benefit from cord blood banking?
Not at all. Cord blood stem cells provide a valuable resource for conditions that don't necessarily run in families, like heart disease, arthritis and diabetes. Banking preserves access to emerging cellular therapies, regardless of your family medical history.
Registration
When's the best time to register to bank my child's cord blood?
The earlier, the better! We recommend registering at least a few months before your due date. This ensures you'll receive your Securicord Cord Blood Kit with plenty of time to spare before baby arrives. Don't cut it too close - you'll want that kit ready to go if your little one decides to make an early appearance.
How do I register?
You can register online through our website, or give us a call at 1.888.802.0706 to register over the phone. Our team is happy to walk you through the process.
How much does it cost to save my newborn's stem cells?
We offer flexible cord blood banking plans and payment options to suit every family's needs and budget. Check out our pricing page to see what works best for you.
What if I am having multiple births?
Expecting twins, triplets or more? No problem! We can bank cord blood for each baby. Just let us know when you register.
Should I bank cord blood for all my kids?
Absolutely. While there's a chance siblings could be a match, your child's cord blood provides a guaranteed perfect match for themselves. Banking for each child gives you that extra peace of mind.
Cord Blood Banking
What is cord blood and why is it valuable?
Cord blood is the blood remaining in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth - a rich source of powerful stem cells with vast potential medical applications. By banking your newborn's cord blood, you're preserving a precious biological resource that could one day help treat over 80 life-threatening diseases, including cancers, genetic disorders, and so much more.
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are the body's "master cells" - they have the remarkable ability to develop into any cell type. Though abundant in a developing fetus, stem cells become extremely rare after birth. Cord blood provides a safe, non-invasive way to collect and preserve these early-stage stem cells at their most potent state.
Why are stem cells medically important?
Stem cells are revolutionizing medicine through "cell therapy" - harnessing their ability to replace damaged or defective cells. Already, cord blood stem cells are treating cancers, immune disorders, genetic diseases, and more. And researchers are just beginning to unlock their vast regenerative potential for conditions like heart disease, spinal cord injuries, stroke, diabetes, and muscular dystrophy
How does cord blood stem cells compare to other sources of stem cells?
Your child's cord blood stem cells are a perfect genetic match, eliminating any risk of rejection. They are also easier and safer to collect than harvesting from bone marrow donors. Once banked, these cells are an invaluable resource readily available whenever needed - not just for your child, but with increased odds of matching siblings, parents, and grandparents too.
What role will stem cells play in the future of medicine?
At the moment, stem cells are used in the treatment of over 50 cancers, immune disorders, and genetic disorders. As technology progresses, it is likely that the field of stem cells therapy will become more advanced, and the future uses of stem cells can be limitless. Research in stem cell therapy include usage for treatment of heart diseases, spinal cord damage, stroke, diabetes, and muscular dystrophy.
What is Graft versus Host Disease and how does cord blood banking prevent this?
Graft versus Host Disease is a disease which can occur after a bone marrow transplant. By banking a child’s cord blood, this disease is prevented because the cord blood is a perfect match to your child and is not donated from a different individual. This will increase the survival rate of the recipient and ensure a greater chance that the transplant will be successful.
What is HLA matching?
HLA (human leukocyte antigen) matching ensures donor stem cells are compatible with the recipient to prevent rejection. When you bank your newborn's cord blood, you eliminate any HLA compatibility concerns - those stem cells are a perfect genetic match for your child.
Why choose to store your child’s cord blood stem cells?
Your child’s cord blood stem cells are only present during birth. By choosing to save your child’s cord blood stem cells, you will have the peace of mind that these precious cells are preserved and readily available in the event that your child or another family member needs them in the future. If the cord blood stem cells are not banked, these precious cells will be discarded after birth. By banking your child’s cord blood, you will be able to take advantege of the medical treatments that are currently available using stem cells as well as emerging stem cells treatments that will become available in the future.
Can siblings (or other relatives) use my baby's cord blood?
There's a good chance! While a perfect match for your child, banked cord blood also has a high probability of matching siblings (25% chance) and other relatives like parents or grandparents. It provides a invaluable stem cell resource for your entire family.
My relative is sick now - can I bank for them?
Cord blood banking is intended primarily for the donor child. While the chances of a match increase for close relatives compared to an unrelated donor, the probability is still relatively low for second-degree relatives like aunts, uncles or cousins. Banking solely for a currently ill extended family member is generally not advisable.
Should everyone bank cord blood?
While cord blood banking is an individual choice, it provides an invaluable medical resource for your family. There's always a chance a child or relative could develop an illness treatable with stem cell therapy. By banking your newborn's cord blood, you ensure immediate access to stem cells that are a perfect genetic match for your child - eliminating delays or compatibility concerns.
Who decides how banked cord blood is used?
As the parent, you maintain full authority over your child's banked cord blood until they reach adulthood. Once your child becomes a legal adult, they assume permanent ownership and rights over their cord blood stem cells.
Why is having my child's cord blood so valuable?
In the event your child ever requires a stem cell transplant, finding a perfectly matched donor can be extremely difficult or even impossible. With cord blood banking, you eliminate that challenge by preserving a readily available, 100% compatible stem cell source belonging solely to your child.
Cord blood banking is a way to invest in your family's future medical needs. You're giving your child exclusive access to their own powerful stem cells when they may need it most.
Cord Tissue Banking
What is cord tissue and why is it valuable?
The umbilical cord itself is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) - a different type of stem cell from those found in cord blood. MSCs show promising potential for developing future therapies to treat diseases involving cartilage, muscle, bone, and nerve cells.
Preserving both cord blood and cord tissue ensures your child has access to multiple stem cell sources as medical advancements emerge.
How is cord tissue collected?
It's an easy, painless process. After your baby's delivery and cord blood collection, your doctor simply collects as much umbilical cord tissue as possible. It's placed in a collection vessel with protective storage media and antibiotics.
What diseases could cord tissue treat?
While still largely investigational, MSCs from cord tissue are being explored in clinical trials for regenerative therapies across various conditions. Scientists are working diligently to unlock the full medical potential of these powerful cells.
Why choose cord tissue banking?
Cord tissue can only be collected at birth, so banking it alongside cord blood is an invaluable investment in your child's future health options. As stem cell research progresses, you'll have preserved access to both major stem cell types to take advantage of emerging therapies.
Can other family members use my child's cord tissue cells?
There's a good chance! Matching rules are less strict with cord tissue than cord blood. Parents have a 100% chance of being compatible, it's 75% for siblings, and even a 25% chance of matching grandparents.
Cord Blood Banking – Before Delivery
How is cord blood collected?
It's a simple process - after your baby is delivered, the physician collects the cord blood from the umbilical cord and placenta using a needle and sterile blood bag
When is the cord blood collected?
Cord blood is collected immediately after your baby's birth, once the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut.
Will my doctor know how to collect cord blood?
Absolutely. Cord blood collection is a common, straightforward procedure that most physicians are familiar with. If your doctor has any questions, detailed instructions are provided in the Securicord collection kit. Our team is also available to offer guidance at any time.
Why does Securicord use the closed blood bag technique to collect cord blood?
We use the latest closed bag collection method because it is the most sterile and efficient approach. This technique ensures an optimally viable cord blood sample for processing and storage.
Is the process safe for both mom and baby?
The collection process takes place after the child is delivered and the umbilical cord is cut, making it absolutely safe for both the mother and the child.
What if it's a C-section delivery?
No problem at all. Cord blood can be collected just as easily following a C-section birth. Our kits contain all the necessary supplies and protocols for both vaginal and C-section births.
Shipping Cord Blood
How is my baby’s cord blood sample delivered to Securicord?
Your Cord Blood Collection Kit will include all the necessary information you require to ship your cord blood to Securicord in the required time-frame. Securicord typically offers several options for shipping, and you can choose the price and convenience level that suits your family. If you have any specific questions about shipping, a Healthcord representative will be glad to help you. The Securicord lab is operational 365 days a year to ensure that your sample is stored in the best possible condition.
Will I be notified when my child’s sample has arrived at Securicord?
Yes, upon completion of processing, an e-mail will be sent from Securicord to your specified e-mail address. Securicord will issue a formal report with your test results and a certificate for your baby’s paediatric records.
Processing & Storage
Does Securicord test for infectious diseases, and if so, which ones?
Yes, we test all maternal blood samples for a panel of infectious diseases to ensure the integrity and quality of the cord blood samples we store. The specific infectious diseases we test for include HIV1/2, HTLV, Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg), Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), Hepatitis C (HCV), syphilis, and Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
What happens after the cord blood is received?
Once our laboratory receives the cord blood, we process it for long-term storage. This includes volume reduction, sterility testing, infectious disease testing, viability testing, and stem cell counting. Then, we cryogenically freeze and store the sample for preservation.
Will I be notified once my child’s cord blood is securely stored?
Yes, you will. Once we've successfully banked your child’s cord blood, a Securicord representative will contact you. You’ll also receive a certificate detailing the successful storage, which includes information on the stem cell quantity and the conditions under which they’re stored.
How long will be the cells be viable after collection?
The cells remain viable for up to 48 hours at room temperature post-collection. We process them within roughly 4 hours, so we ask that you aim to get the cord blood to us within 44 hours of collection.
Why is Securicord’s processing system so efficient?
Our state-of-the-art equipment and Quality System make us an industry leader. With a fully equipped in-house lab, we can perform all critical processing and testing components under one roof. This ensures the tightest quality control along with the fastest, most efficient handling.
How long can cord blood be stored and still be effective?
Cord blood can be cryogenically stored for decades while remaining viable for potential medical use. The longest successful storage duration demonstrated so far is 27 years, as shown by Dr. Hal Broxmeyer's lab in 2023. Extrapolating from this data, it's likely that the stem cells can be preserved for a patient's lifetime.
How secure will the stored stem cells be?
Securicord's cryogenic storage facility features advanced security systems to ensure samples remain safe long-term. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with 24/7 monitoring, backup power, and a secure FEMA-rated vault to protect against disasters. State-of-the-art equipment like vapor-phase storage tanks and controlled-rate freezers provide optimal cryopreservation conditions.
Securicord exceeds all industry standards for cord blood banking. The lab is accredited by AABB and participates in proficiency testing by CAP to ensure highest quality. Securicord is also registered with the FDA and follows all regulations.
With redundant security measures, specialized equipment, and adherence to rigorous standards, you can have confidence in the secure long-term storage of your newborn's cord blood stem cells at Securicord's facility.
What should I do if my family is moving?
No problem at all. Simply update us with your new contact information, and we'll ensure your file reflects the change. Your cord blood unit will remain safely banked and accessible no matter where you relocate, even internationally.
Retrieval & Use
What's the process if we need to use our child's cord blood?
The process is simple - just reach out to us, and we'll take it from there. Contact our team, and we'll immediately provide you with a release form. Sign it, let us know which physician and hospital you need the cord blood sent to, and we'll coordinate everything. Our team will work directly with the hospital to ensure your child's cord blood unit arrives safely and promptly for immediate use.
Is there any cost to retrieving my child's cord blood?
There are no fees from Securicord for preparing and releasing your child's cord blood. The only charge is for shipping and transport to get the unit to the designated hospital. We never want any barriers between your family and accessing this precious resource when you need it.
Additional Questions
I have already banked with Securicord and am expecting another child. Will they share an account?
Congratulations on your growing family! Each child will have their own separate account to ensure clear ownership once they become adults. However, we can create a master account for you to easily manage all of your children's cord blood banking. Just ask, and we'll consolidate everything into one convenient profile and invoice for you.
When do I need to submit my Health Questionnaire?
We recommend completing Part A of the Health Questionnaire as soon as possible, ideally before your due date. Then, bring it to one of your final prenatal appointments within a month of your due date and have your doctor complete Part B. Once your baby arrives, simply verify your health status didn't change, sign, and date Part A.
