Frequently Asked
Questions

Expectant parents have the following options for their baby's cord blood:

• Private: Collect, preserve, and store to ensure access to a valuable source of stem cells with potential therapeutic applications for future use by the baby, siblings or parents.
• Public: Donate to a public cord blood bank, where your donation will be made available for unrelated donor transplants or research.  
• Medical Waste: Allow the hospital to discard the umbilical cord and cord blood.

Cord blood and cord tissue are rich sources of stem cells, easily collected and stored for potential disease treatment. Stem cell therapies have effectively treated conditions like cancer and metabolic disorders, and ongoing research suggests their potential for conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Cord blood is being used to treat more than 80 conditions and diseases.

To discover the advantages of cord blood banking, simply click here.

Public cord blood banking is the act of donating your baby's cord blood to be used by an unrelated person for cord blood transplants. Donating cord blood is free and anonymous.

Cord blood donation has its advantages and disadvantages. Donating cord blood can potentially assist a transplant patient; however, it's important to note that around 80% of cord blood samples donated to public banks end up being discarded due to low volume or family health history. This makes it highly unlikely that the donor can access it later. Finding an alternative suitable match can be a time-consuming process, taking weeks or even months, and retrieving a match from a public bank can also be costly, with the current average cost standing at $40,000.

Click here to learn more about donating cord blood.

Cord blood stem cells, also known as hematopoietic stem cells, have several significant advantages over other sources of stem cells (e.g., bone marrow and peripheral blood):

• Higher rate of engraftment
• More tolerant of tissue mismatches
• Lower rate of severe graft-vs.-host disease (a major complication in stem cell transplants)
• Less likely to be contaminated with latent viruses
• Easier to collect in some cases

In addition, cord blood is "privileged," or unexposed to most diseases, which can make bone marrow from an adult more difficult to use in transplantation. Most importantly, cord blood from your baby is a perfect match for your child in the unlikely event it should ever be needed and has a 75 percent chance of being an acceptable match for any siblings. While cord blood stored at birth is a 100% match for the child, in cases of certain genetic diseases, utilizing cells from a donor, whether a relative or unrelated individual without the same genetic mutations, is required.

Cord tissue stem cells, also known as mesenchymal stem cells, are capable of differentiating into structural and connective tissues such as bone, fat, and cartilage. These stem cells also have immunomodulatory properties (capable of modifying or regulating immune functions) to help treat autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and type 1 diabetes.

Follow the link to learn more about how cord blood and cord tissue stem cells have more benefits than similar stem cells from other sources.

The first umbilical cord blood transplant took place in France in 1988 on a patient with Fanconi’s anemia. The donor was the patient’s sibling. This patient is alive still today. Today, cord blood has been used in more than 50,000 successful transplants and is used to treat over 80 different conditions and diseases.

Please see our treating diseases section and our transplant record for specific diseases treated with cord blood from Cryo-Cell.

The nature of treatments for many diseases has changed radically over the past several years. As the causes of more diseases are determined, more therapies will become available, and it is projected that cord blood transplantation will continue to play a vital role in these therapies. Current promising research is being conducted on the use of umbilical cord blood stem cells for the treatment of many diseases including those of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Learn more about the future of stem cells in our blog or Stem Cell News area.

The preserved cord blood stem cells are a perfect match for the donor, and a 75% likelihood of being a match for siblings who share the same biological parents. While cord blood stored at birth is a 100% match for the child, in cases of certain genetic diseases, utilizing cells from a donor, whether a relative or unrelated individual without the same genetic mutations, is required. It's worth noting that approximately half of the stem cell transplants performed from us are intended for siblings, underscoring the importance of storing cord blood from all children. Statistics support higher success rates in stem cell transplants between siblings compared to unrelated donors, and the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a significant complication in stem cell transplants, is reduced. If you plan to have more children, we strongly recommend considering this once-in-your-child’s-lifetime opportunity.

In addition to siblings, a donor’s stem cells could potentially be useful to other family members who may need them, including the mother, father, grandparents, and half-siblings.
 
Important Note: Until the child is of legal age (18), the parents, as the child's guardians, retain ownership of the stored stem cells and cannot be released by us without the parents' consent. Starting on the child’s 18^th birthday, the retrieval and use of the stem cells shall be at the sole direction of the child and the client (parent) has no further right to direct release, use, or discontinuation of stem cell storage. 

There are no charges for retrieving your preserved cord blood and/or tissue since you own them. If retrieval is requested, your collection will be transported in a special container to the transplant location to maintain cryogenic temperatures. You would only be responsible for the cost of transportation.

Cord blood and tissue collection takes place immediately after either a vaginal birth or cesarean section delivery. It's crucial to make advanced arrangements for a collection kit at the time of birth.

Your healthcare provider will use the provided umbilical cord blood and cord tissue collection kit and its accompanying instructions to collect umbilical cord blood. This process involves clamping and cutting the umbilical cord as is done during a regular baby delivery. The blood is drawn from the cord using a cord blood collection bag, which is FDA-approved and follows a heparin-free collection method to maximize stem cell recovery.

Cord tissue, on the other hand, is collected after cord blood retrieval and placenta delivery. A segment of the cord, typically 6 to 10 inches in length, is cleansed, cut, and placed in a container for transport to the laboratory. The container is sent alongside the cord blood for immediate processing.

The collected cord blood and tissue, along with the mother's blood sample, are packaged in the provided special shipping materials within the kit. A medical courier will personally pick up the collection kit from your hospital room and deliver it to our facility within 24 to 48 hours. Our facility operates around the clock, seven days a week, to process, test, separate, and cryogenically store your baby's stem cells. To arrange for the transport of your collection kit, please call Cryo-Cell anytime at 1-800-786-7235 and select option four (4) when prompted. The kit should be stored at room temperature before transport.

Follow the link to learn more about the banking process.

The collection process is entirely painless and poses no risk to either the mother or the child since the blood is harvested from the cord only after it has been clamped and cut.

Learn more about the banking process.

Growing evidence supports the practice of delaying umbilical cord clamping and banking cord blood, allowing parents to embrace both options simultaneously. Delayed cord clamping (DCC), following the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ (ACOG) recommendation of a 30-60 second delay, may yield a slightly smaller cord blood collection, reducing the volume available for banking by approximately 10%.
 
If parents choose to delay clamping, it becomes crucial to select the optimal processing method.  In an independently published study, it was stated that regardless of volume PrepaCyte-CB provides the most efficient recovery of hematopoietic stem cells.⁶⁶

Should the collection volume fall below expectations, or if CD34+ counts or cell viability percentage do not meet the acceptance thresholds, Cryo-Cell will promptly contact your family to discuss sub-optimal results and explain options related to storage or cancellation. If you choose to cancel at this time, your full fee is refunded. 

Learn more about PrepaCyte-CB.

We perform the following cord blood tests on every collection:

• Maternal blood is tested for syphilis, hepatitis B and C, human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Chagas disease, West Nile virus and cytomegalovirus (CMV).
• Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–typing is not routinely performed at the time of processing but would be necessary to confirm the compatibility between the donor and a recipient of the cells if they are different. If HLA-typing is necessary in the future, it may be performed via blood testing as an insurance reimbursable cost in a typical physician-ordered transplant plan.
• Cord blood is typed (A, B, AB or O_ and tested for Rh factor.
• Each cord blood sample is also tested for microbiological contamination.

If any of the infectious disease screening tests are positive, confirmatory tests will be automatically performed. Infectious disease testing is performed by an affiliated laboratory that is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)–certified and FDA-registered. Clients are notified of positive test results.  

The testing regimen outlined allows the sample to be considered for use on other family members (e.g., siblings) in addition to the baby whose cord blood was collected. Any blood found to be positive for a communicable disease or infection is placed in quarantine.

Follow the link to learn more about our cryopreservation/banking process.

There are 2 options for cord blood processing. The hydroxyethyl starch (Hetastarch®) method reduces the number of red blood cells and isolates the nucleated white blood cell fraction, which contains the stem cells. These cells are then mixed with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a cryoprotectant, and Dextran and stored in a special compartmentalized cryo-bag.

Cryo-Cell’s proprietary PrepaCyte-CB® processing system is more advanced and returns a higher, cleaner yield. It is especially beneficial in delayed-cord clamping.

​We utilize a five-compartment storage cryo-bag, featuring detachable compartments and dedicated segments for testing. This cryo-bag is additionally safeguarded with an overwrap and undergoes a controlled-rate freezing technique, optimizing the cells for long-term storage. Subsequently, the bag is encased in a protective metal cassette and stored in a liquid nitrogen freezer for cryogenic preservation. To learn more about how cord blood is processed.

Upon arrival at the laboratory, the cord tissue undergoes a cleansing process using a buffered solution. Subsequently, the cord is segmented and cryogenically stored along with the tissue and cells. The cryopreserved tissue is kept in two containers, with the option to store up to six containers of your baby's cord tissue. For added safety, the containers are stored in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen. 

Learn more about how cord tissue banking.

Situated in Oldsmar, Florida, our state of the art, secure laboratory is where we process and store the cord blood and cord tissue. Our facility includes a cryogenic bunker with solid concrete walls and a reinforced ceiling capable of withstanding category 5 winds.

For added resilience, we have an on-site industrial-grade diesel generator to provide emergency backup power, ensuring the continuous processing of specimens even during power outages. With a 6,000-gallon bulk tank, we maintain an approximately 60-day supply of liquid nitrogen. The cryogen chambers’ temperature are continuously monitored and rely solely on liquid nitrogen, not electricity, to sustain optimal  temperatures.

Learn more about our facility and laboratory.

Dr. Hal Broxmeyer and his team at Indiana University School of Medicine conducted a series of studies examining the impact of the length of cord blood cryopreservation over the last 3 decades. Most recently, the research confirmed the viability of cord blood even after 27 years of cryopreservation.

A 2023 report in Cell Reports Medicine highlighted the team's findings, demonstrating that long-term cryopreserved units retain highly functional cells.

We are dedicated to making cord blood and tissue banking accessible to everyone. We simplify the pricing structure by combining processing and testing fees to encompass all upfront expenses, such as enrollment, the collection kit, outbound kit shipping, medical courier service, and the initial year of storage. Additionally, we include infectious disease screening tests for the birth mother's blood. The pricing provided is for a single child and there are no hidden fees. 

You can find the current prices here. We want to make it clear that, up until now, we have never increased storage fees for our existing customers. Any changes in rates only apply to new customers.

We provide convenient in-house payment plans that allow you to distribute the initial cost over time, without requiring a credit check and with a minimal upfront payment.

Gift certificates are available for purchase by family and friends. Once your newborn's stem cells are stored, Cryo-Cell offers a refer-a-friend program enabling you to earn free annual storage if your friend becomes a Cryo-Cell client. 

We offer discounts for returning clients, families with multiple children, retired and active military personnel, and medical professionals. Additionally, we provide special pricing for those who opt for our longer-term storage plans.

Currently, family banking does not qualify as an eligible expense under FSA or HSA. To deem cord blood banking or any other service/product falling under the "Ineligible Expense" category according to IRS sec 213 (d)(1) eligible under a plan or program, a healthcare professional must furnish evidence of medical necessity for the infant or any other family member covered by the HSA/FSA. This evidence is required to justify the cost of collecting and storing cord blood as a medical expense.

However, if there's an immediate family member requiring a stem cell transplant when your baby is born, an exception might be made. It's advised to reach out to your benefits administrator or insurance company for clarification on this matter.

It's important to note that certain healthcare providers may charge a fee for the collection of umbilical cord blood. We recommend discussing this procedure with your healthcare provider before enrolling in our service to confirm their willingness to perform the collection.

We offer collection kits free of charge, with the condition that if you decide not to collect, the kit is returned within 2 weeks of notification to avoid a $150 non-refundable cancellation fee.  Please note that once we have received and processed the collection, upfront cost refunds are not available. To learn more about our pricing, payment plans, and discounts, click here. 

Founded in 1989, we are the first private cord blood bank to isolate and store stem cells. Our global presence now spans over 500,000 parents, thanks to our highly skilled team and cutting-edge laboratory operations. In 2018, Cryo-Cell expanded our role in the industry to include public cord blood banking options, making us one of only two hybrid banks in the United States.

Follow the link to learn more about Cryo-Cell.

As a publicly traded company, our day-to-day operations are overseen by Co-CEOs David and Mark Portnoy. In our ongoing quest to enhance our current offerings and develop new products, we have formed collaborations with organizations like Saneron CCEL, a spin off from the University of South Florida, as well as various research and development institutes. Additionally, we've established an affiliate network to extend our services internationally, ensuring that all aspects, including blood testing, are carried out in conjunction with our comprehensive cord blood and tissue services. Learn more about Cryo-Cell.

In May 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began regulating family cord blood banks. Beyond the federal government, several states (California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey and Maryland) have applicable regulations. In addition to these government requirements, several organizations offer accreditation for cord banks that meet their standards.

Our list of accreditations include the following:

• FDA-registered
• cGMP-/cGTP-compliant
• Licensed in all states requiring such (California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey and Maryland)
• AABB-accredited
• FACT-accredited

Our extensive list of licenses and accreditations positions Cryo-Cell as a distinguished leader in the cord blood banking field, renowned for its quality standards. View our comprehensive list of our licenses and accreditation.

The first step is to enroll with us. The enrollment process typically takes only 10 minutes to complete and involves providing essential information about yourself and your healthcare provider. Rest assured, no charges will be incurred until the date we receive your sample, unless you choose one of our payment plans. You can enroll online here.

If you prefer to enroll by speaking with one of our representatives, you can do so over the phone. Our team is available 24/7, and you can reach us at 1-800-STOR-CELL (1-800-786-7235). As soon as you complete the enrollment, your kit will be promptly shipped to you.
For parents ordering the kit within 30 days of the expected due date, or in urgent situations, we offer expedited (overnight) delivery service through our medical courier service to U.S. and Puerto Rico clients.

Upon the arrival of your collection kit, we recommend the following actions:

• Thoroughly review all the printed materials provided within the kit. This will help address any questions you may have before your hospital or birthing center visit.
• Review, sign and return the Client Agreement and Informed Consent for Umbilical Cord Blood and Cord Tissue services in the postage-paid enveloped provided.
• Familiarize yourself with the labeling, packaging, and shipping instructions detailed in the parent instructions.
• Make certain to bring the kit and all associated paperwork with you when it's time to deliver your baby at the hospital or birthing center.

Important Note: Ensure that the advanced collection kit is always stored at room temperature to prevent exposure to extreme temperature fluctuations. Please refrain from leaving the kit in your car. The kit is equipped with dual temperature gauges, and if they indicate exposure to excessive hot or cold conditions, additional testing may be required to maintain the quality of the collection.
Once you make the call to our transportation coordinator following your baby's birth, that is the only notification we require. We will take care of all the necessary arrangements for you. Our transportation coordinator will schedule the transportation of your specimen and provide you with a tracking number, allowing us to monitor its delivery. You can expect a follow-up notification email to confirm processing of your specimen.

Within four to six weeks of processing, testing, and storing, you will receive electronic confirmation of the laboratory results along with a certificate of preservation. This certificate will include detailed information about the baby and the collected specimen including the volume processed, white blood cell count, CD34+ cell count and ABO type. If the testing indicates that the collection does not meet our established criteria, we will promptly reach out to discuss the results and available options with you.

As a Cryo-Cell international client, you can expect to stay informed about the latest breakthroughs and discoveries in the field, as well as our contributions to global advancements. To receive email updates without enrolling, simply follow this link. Additionally, you can explore our website to access the most recent updates from our Stem Cell Insider newsletter center and the Cryo-Cell blog.

Should you find yourself unable to continue, kindly reach out to us via phone or submit a call back request through our contact form prior to your next payment. We will help you review your options and fulfill any outstanding obligations outlined in your client agreement, including the submission and return of a signed discontinue storage letter.

In the event that a client whose account is current wishes to discontinue the service(s) before the child turns eighteen, client may so inform Cryo-Cell, in writing by signing a discontinued storage letter which will be provided by Cryo-Cell. In such instance, all ownership rights to baby’s stem cells will transfer to Cryo-Cell. Requests must be made on an approved document, provided by Cryo-Cell, detailing client’s account information with the instructions for disposal or donation to research. The letter is then sent to the requesting parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and requires signature from the responsible party(s) that is bound to this client agreement and informed consent. After the child turns eighteen, request to discontinue the service must come from child and child is required to sign a discontinued storage letter.

Upon termination or expiration of the term of this contract, client agrees:

1. to pay all outstanding fees due to Cryo-Cell;
2. to release all rights and waive all claims against Cryo-Cell, its affiliates and the respective agents, employees, directors, shareholders, representatives, and consultants of Cryo-Cell with regard to the storage contract, and any services provided by Cryo-Cell;
3. that Cryo-Cell shall have no further liability or obligations to client.