Any recommendations for storing baby's blood stem cells?

Just want to throw this out there. Stem cell collection requires immediate cord clamping, something that takes away 1/3 of your baby's own blood supply. There is a lot of research out there that says delayed cord clamping is far better for your baby than routine stem cell collection. Here are a few links to some articles: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15187776 http://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/cord-clamping-delaying-cord-clamping http://www.beyondconformity.co.nz/_bpost_1598/The_ethics_of_Cord_clamping_and_stem_cell_collection http://academicobgyn.com/2009/12/03/delayed-cord-clamping-should-be-standard-practice-in-obstetrics/ http://apps.who.int/rhl/pregnancy_childbirth/childbirth/3rd_stage/cd004074_abalose_com/en/index.html

okay so i guess it is that they are number 1 in the world not just in america... copied this directly from their website.... Cord Blood Registry® (CBR®) is the world's largest and most experienced stem cell bank. The company has consistently led the industry in technical innovations and is entrusted with storing more than 350,000 cord blood collections for individuals and their families. CBR has the longest history of accreditation with AABB and the company's quality standards have been recognized through ISO 9001:2009 certification—the global business standard for quality. CBR also has helped more clients use their cord blood stem cells for lifesaving transplants and experimental regenerative medicine therapies than any other family bank. Our research and development efforts are focused on helping the world's leading clinical researchers advance regenerative medical therapies that may help families in the future. Our headquarters are in San Bruno, California, and our laboratory and storage facility is located in Tucson, Arizona

I looked at a lot of the companies that advertise here in dubai and i thought it was weird that they only stored the blood for 25 years... the american company i mentioned keeps it as long as you pay for it... there are initial fees... but the storage fee is 125 usd a year paid on the babies birthday... for as long or as little as you want to pay for it. I'm delivering at american hospital and CBR has worked with them many times even though they dont advertise here... good luck with finding a place :) It is not at all weird that companies only store between 20 and 25 years, it is because of ensuring the viability of what they are keeping for two reasons. Research is relatively 'new' in this area, they feel that after a certain period of time the quality of what they have cannot be guaranteed. To date, they have only successfully conducted research on the usage of stemcells with samples 25 years or younger, so they don't offer storage beyond this as the stemcells quality might be compromised beyond this time. They don't say it will be destroyed at this point, if research can be demonstrated that it is still useful with older samples, they would then offer to renew the storage date. It is the same with sperm and eggs egg samples they destroy these after certain periods of time due to the samples not being at their best. Plus the usage of stemcell research has mainly been focused on the treatment of children and young adult ailments (although clearly not exclusively) so this is the timeframe focused on. Can I just ask ShannonB I have never heard of the company you mention (obviously because they don't advertise here). If you are paying a yearly fee, what happens if the company ceases to exist? Could they make it your responsibility to find someone else to store your stem cells? I just ask because the other providers I looked at have a contractural obligation to store for period of time agreed, and it would be their responsibility to make alternative arrangements for storage in the event their company cease to exist, whereas undertaking to make a yearly payment plan indicates a year by year contract where the terms can change (this is just standard contract law practice - not unique to this particular company)? Also, do they guarantee a fixed yearly charge, or could their fees change over this time as well, or are they the same for 'life' if this is what they offer to keep the sample for? edited by TanyaR on 18/10/2011 Well i read a little bit about it, I'm certainly no know it all on the subject... but apparently some of these companies (not all) only store for 25 years because its a "business plan" for them they want to make "x" number of dollars and then maybe retire... again this is just something i read so it might not even be true... with the company i mentioned if after 25 years you wanted to remove/destroy your samples or whatever you can but my point is they don't have a time limit on how long you can store with them... yes it is a fixed rate of 125 dollars a year for the life of you storing with them... that is for cord blood... they also store the stem tissue IF you want for an additional 125 a year (being that its a different sample) there is no treatments in humans at this time with the tissue but it was explained to me by the company that there are currently 100 and something FDA approved studies being conducted and there will be uses for it in the coming few years... they have already had success with animals... and have learned how to "clone" the samples so you have an infinite supply... which they are currently working on doing for the cord blood and feel they will be successful in the coming years with that as well. they have a high security almost secret like facility where they store everything just for safety, they are also located in Arizona so you have the least likely chance for a natural disaster (there aren't hurricanes, earthquakes etc.. there) i asked the same question about going out of business.. if they go out of business then you would store your blood at a different bank... not sure if they have a contract with someone or not??? she did tell me that the wont being going out of business, she said even if nobody banked with them ever again they make enough profit from there current samples to stay in business... they were the first or one of the first to start the business of private banking and have been doing it for 20 years i think she said... (sorry if I'm off or don't remember EXACT on the details a little here and there she gave me a lot of info at one time) again i know they have had awards... and one of the highest if not the highest success rate with storage and usage and are ranked number 1 in America at least i don't know about the world.... they have all the regulated American standards and accreditation's etc etc... you can look them up if you want... also i can give you the contact info for the lady who helped us she was very nice and sent me a lot of info, if you would like i can forward to your e mail.... sorry i cant help more with a the terminology and specifics... but i just recently learned about this stuff... here is the link to there website... they really seem like a great top of the line company. http://www.cordblood.com/ I'm sure they all have similar standards and follow similar guidelines... i personally was just looking for the BEST American company... being that I'm from there... i only know about their standards, regulations FDA etc.... i don't know anything about other countries rules or laws and what have you (not to say they aren't just as good i just don't know anything about them) so when i found this company i asked if they did international stuff and they have an entire department for it and actually have worked multiple times with the hospital here in Dubai that I'm delivering at. the way i found them was posting on my facebook page asking my friends who the used... and every single person replied with this company... also Dr Sears (don't know if you know him he is a famous pediatrician) he stores his children's blood with them... and regular pediatricians in the states always recommend them as well. hope this helps :)

We used Cells4Life. Efficient service, no hassles and one of the best investments we have made! You can ring the guy and you can arrange for him to come to your house to give you and your DH a presentation on how the whole process works! [url=http://www.cells4life.co.uk/contact-us'>Cells4Life[/url'> i am due in april but was looking at options and cells4life sounded good. they even came at home and discussed everything.

I looked at a lot of the companies that advertise here in dubai and i thought it was weird that they only stored the blood for 25 years... the american company i mentioned keeps it as long as you pay for it... there are initial fees... but the storage fee is 125 usd a year paid on the babies birthday... for as long or as little as you want to pay for it. I'm delivering at american hospital and CBR has worked with them many times even though they dont advertise here... good luck with finding a place :) It is not at all weird that companies only store between 20 and 25 years, it is because of ensuring the viability of what they are keeping for two reasons. Research is relatively 'new' in this area, they feel that after a certain period of time the quality of what they have cannot be guaranteed. To date, they have only successfully conducted research on the usage of stemcells with samples 25 years or younger, so they don't offer storage beyond this as the stemcells quality might be compromised beyond this time. They don't say it will be destroyed at this point, if research can be demonstrated that it is still useful with older samples, they would then offer to renew the storage date. It is the same with sperm and eggs egg samples they destroy these after certain periods of time due to the samples not being at their best. Plus the usage of stemcell research has mainly been focused on the treatment of children and young adult ailments (although clearly not exclusively) so this is the timeframe focused on. Can I just ask ShannonB I have never heard of the company you mention (obviously because they don't advertise here). If you are paying a yearly fee, what happens if the company ceases to exist? Could they make it your responsibility to find someone else to store your stem cells? I just ask because the other providers I looked at have a contractural obligation to store for period of time agreed, and it would be their responsibility to make alternative arrangements for storage in the event their company cease to exist, whereas undertaking to make a yearly payment plan indicates a year by year contract where the terms can change (this is just standard contract law practice - not unique to this particular company)? Also, do they guarantee a fixed yearly charge, or could their fees change over this time as well, or are they the same for 'life' if this is what they offer to keep the sample for? <em>edited by TanyaR on 18/10/2011</em>

I looked at a lot of the companies that advertise here in dubai and i thought it was weird that they only stored the blood for 25 years... the american company i mentioned keeps it as long as you pay for it... there are initial fees... but the storage fee is 125 usd a year paid on the babies birthday... for as long or as little as you want to pay for it. I'm delivering at american hospital and CBR has worked with them many times even though they dont advertise here... good luck with finding a place :)

We used Smartcells as mentioned below after doing a bit of research and having a few friends vouch for having good experiences with their service. They had the longest banking time (25 years) - at least at the time we had DS (20 months ago) - They ship the cells anywhere in the world if needed. They gave us great service, actually came in on an EID holiday as DS decided to deliver early so they needed to send out an emergency pack to us. Really clear step by step instructions (it is quite complex what has to be done) but they make the details easy to follow. Sent the file back to us after the collection, along with the holding certificate outlining the quality of the cells retrieved etc. We are due early next year, and will be using them again.

We used Cells4Life. Efficient service, no hassles and one of the best investments we have made! You can ring the guy and you can arrange for him to come to your house to give you and your DH a presentation on how the whole process works! [url=http://www.cells4life.co.uk/contact-us'>Cells4Life[/url'>

Hi there am due next month and hubby and I are looking in to storing baby's cord blood stem cells and I was wondering if there was anyone out there who could recommend one of the multiple of company's offering this service. We are a bit lost so any advice would be very welcome. Thanking you in advance ladies. After some research we opted for CryoSave, it appears to be one of the oldest and more reliable ones. From the first phone contacts they seemed also very clear and professional. Don't know though, I do not even know if it is just a way to control future parents' paranoia or if it is really useful. Hope we will never have to verify! I have also heard of people using the Red Cross of Frankfurt, which is never going to close or go bankrupt or similbar since it is not a private institution. I know it is accessible from Europe but have no idea from here.

we've just gone through smart cells. sarah is extremely helpful and knowledgable. 25yrs storing in the uk. dhs.3,500 initial payment for the kit and then dhs.11,000 (if memory serves me right) for the 25yrs. office: 04-4298382 sarah: 050-4532936

im due in a month also and did a lot of research on this we decided not to do it... but if we were to i would def bank with CBR i also have a few friends who bank with them... but after my research they are ranked number one in america (maybe in the world.. but not sure about that) and many known peds reccomend them... here is there website reguardless where your from or where you plan to live you can still bank your blood with them... http://www.cordblood.com/ if you are interested to get more info i can put you in touch with the lady who helped us. she was great... and will call you :) so you dont have to worry about international charges. <em>edited by ShannonB on 17/10/2011</em>