Donation of cord blood
TO STORE OR TO DONATE?
What to do with umbilical cord blood? To store it for personal use of the child or donate it to the public registry?
Experts in the field of medical research agree that the umbilical cord blood is a valuable source of stem cells and, if possible, should be collected and stored. The following table presents you with a brief summary of the differences between private storage (for one’s own use or for siblings) and a donation to a public registry.
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Private storage of umbilical cord blood |
Donation of umbilical cord blood to public registry |
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Why collect umbilical cord blood? |
You secure fast and exclusive access to your child’s stem cells in the event of the child’s dire need to save his or her own life. |
Donating cord blood is a humane act. You can help patients who need hematopoeitic cells from a donor. |
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What are the restrictions for collection? |
Any pregnant woman can have her child’s umbilical cord blood collected and privately stored. Blood cannot be collected if the mother has suffered serious disease (infection) during pregnancy. |
Umbilical cord blood donors must pass selection of criteria, which are the requirements and regulations of transplant centers. |
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What happens after collection of umbilical cord blood? |
The umbilical cord blood of your child after the collection is processed, examined and put in a long-term storage for future use, regardless of the amount collected. You decide whether to keep the blood. |
Suitable cord blood (about 30%) is selected for international exchange, which is available to patients anywhere in the world. Rejected blood (about 70%) can be used for research or will be disposed of. |
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How am I entitled to stored umbilical cord blood? |
Parents are the owners of umbilical cord blood until the child reaches legal age. Then the child becomes the owner of his or her own umbilical cord blood. |
Donated umbilical cord blood is the property of the public registry. Parents have no guarantee that their umbilical cord blood would be available in case of necessary use for their child. |
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How long does it take to look for blood treatment therapy? |
Privately stored umbilical cord blood may be available for treatment within a few days after receiving a request from the transplant committee. |
Should the child need hematopoietic cells from a donor the search and subsequent delivery may take up to several weeks or months. |
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What is the cost for storing umbilical cord blood? |
Parents pay one time fee for collection and processing of umbilical cord blood and annual storage fee. |
Should you donate umbilical cord blood to public registry no fee is required. All cost associated with the procurement, processing and storage is covered by the registry. |