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Cord blood is the main source for gathering stem cells. This highly valuable blood can be retreived from the umbilical cord soon after birth. You must have heard a lot about stem cell transplants and the need for banking your stem cells. Do you really need it? And if you do, what else do you need to think about before deciding on a bank? You’ll find details and all the information you need to know before you start considering to choose a stem cell bank.

The stem cells pros first

· It’s simple really. By banking your stem cells, you are actually providing yourself with better alternatives in the future to fight against diseases or health conditions. 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. The cells required is taken from the umbilical cord after the birth, therefore there is absoluteny no pain or risk for your baby.

· Cord stem cell banking is very helpful when you need transplants for the parents or for a sibling also. Patients who requires bone marrow transplant faces plenty of risks. This is due to the possible rejection of the transplant by the host body. The chances of a stem cell rejection are remote. 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. You should be prepared to fork out at least $2000 up front, with a $100 yearly maintenance cost. 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 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?

· Consider the number of processed samples that the facility handles. Chances are, the more samples they have to handle, the better the infrastructure and service is.

· 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? Whether these costs are fixed or subject to change?

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

Cord stem cell banking is an important, albeit tough decision to make. Consider all the factors before you decide on what is right for you.