Why choose private cord blood banking? 

By definition, private or family cord blood banking
means that only you and your family
​will have access to your child's cord blood.

Reasons to store cord blood privately:

​Let's be clear: Cord blood does not provide an insurance policy. However, there are many good reasons to store it privately. Some of these reasons include:

• A sibling or family member could benefit from a cord blood transplant, if your child is a match. 
• Your unborn child has been diagnosed with an injury/illness during pregnancy and cord blood could possibly be used as treatment.  
• Your family medical history would suggest that there may be a need for cord blood in the future. 

What about the costs? Good question. Yet, should that matter if your family meets just one of these criteria? No one can put a price on life. Many private banks offer "sibling programs" or other forms of grants to those families in financial and medical need. All you need to do is ask.

View list of cord blood banks.>>

Remember: If you donate cord blood to a public bank, you are no longer guaranteed access to it should your family need it. 

Reasons not to store privately:

• You prefer to donate your child's cord blood.
• Your family medical history does not suggest a need for the future use of cord blood.

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The 3rd Possibility. . .

Yes, there is a third possibility for those who find themselves unable to save cord blood via public or private options. Good news. You can still help.
​
NEXT STEP: What can I do? >>

Next Step: What Can I Do?

Did you know?

As the cord blood industry has evolved, private/family banks have been instrumental in leading groundbreaking cord blood research in regenerative medicine for cerebral palsy, autism, spinal cord injury, diabetes and more. 

In some cases, parents who have chosen to privately store their child's cord blood have been able to participate in these clinical trials. Why? Cord blood clinical trials for regenerative medicine often require the patient to use his/her own cord blood (autologous cord blood). 

If your family may be interested in participating in such a clinical trial, speak to your doctor and your chosen cord blood bank. Please remember, clinical trials are always considered experimental but they are also vital to advancing medical research.

Learn more about cord blood research, click here. >>

About the photo:
Meet Luke. His parents saved his cord blood at birth privately. Years later he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and was able to participate in a clinical trial using his own cord blood as treatment. His progress was gradual but steady. Today, he is walking, running and living an active childhood. 

Note: Luke's parents learned about the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial from the private cord blood bank they used.