While cord blood stem cells have shown great promise in treating various conditions, there's no guarantee of a cure. However, banking provides a valuable resource that may be used in future treatments.

Yes, cord blood has a 50-75% chance of being a match for siblings and may also be suitable for parents or other close relatives.

Cryoviva offers worldwide shipping of stored stem cells when needed. We coordinate with medical facilities globally to ensure safe transfer and use of your banked cells.

While public donation is free, it doesn't guarantee availability if your family needs the cells. Private banking ensures your family has access to genetically matched stem cells but involves an initial cost and annual storage fees.

Cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells, while cord tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells. Both have unique properties and potential applications in regenerative medicine.

Stem cells can be cryogenically preserved for decades. While the exact lifespan is still being studied, successfully stored stem cells have been used in treatments after 23+ years of storage. With proper preservation techniques, it's believed they could potentially last a lifetime.

The collection process is completely safe for both mother and baby. It's done after the umbilical cord has been cut and the baby is separated from the mother. It doesn't interfere with the birthing process. There's no pain or risk involved for your newborn.

Cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells, which can develop into blood and immune system cells. Cord tissue, on the other hand, contains mesenchymal stem cells, which can develop into bone, cartilage, and connective tissues. Banking both provides a wider range of potential future treatments.

Yes, in many cases. The likelihood of a match is about 50-75% for siblings. Parents and grandparents may also be partial matches. However, the child's own stem cells (autologous use) are always a perfect match for themselves.

Success rates vary depending on the condition being treated. For certain blood disorders and cancers, stem cell treatments have shown high success rates. Research is ongoing for many other conditions, with promising results in clinical trials for treatments of cerebral palsy, autism, and type 1 diabetes, among others.

Most insurance plans do not cover stem cell banking as it's considered a preventive measure. However, some companies offer payment plans to make it more affordable. In cases where stem cell treatment is medically necessary for an existing condition, the procurement and treatment may be covered.

Look for banks accredited by AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) or other recognized accrediting bodies. Consider factors such as the bank's experience, financial stability, storage methods, and ability to release units for treatment. It's also wise to review their policies on confidentiality and what happens if the company changes ownership.

Yes, stem cells can be collected during both vaginal deliveries and C-sections. The collection process doesn't interfere with any type of delivery. Your healthcare provider and the collection specialist will coordinate to ensure a smooth process.

Cord blood should be collected within minutes of birth, ideally within 15 minutes. The collection needs to happen before the placenta is delivered. This is why it's crucial to inform your healthcare provider and have arrangements made with a cord blood bank well in advance of your due date.

Yes, you can bank stem cells for twins. Each baby will have their own umbilical cord, so it's possible to collect and store stem cells for each child separately. Some banks offer discounts for multiple births.

The use of privately banked stem cells is relatively rare, with estimates suggesting that the likelihood of use is between 1 in 400 to 1 in 200,000, depending on the study and the conditions included. However, as research advances and new treatments are developed, this rate may increase in the future.

Stem cells are stored in specialized cryogenic tanks at extremely low temperatures (around -196°C or -320°F) using liquid nitrogen. At this temperature, all biological activity is essentially suspended, preserving the cells indefinitely. Banks perform regular quality checks and maintain backup power systems to ensure constant optimal storage conditions.