| Cord Blood Banking: Free Programs for Families with a Medical Need
Transplants using related stem cells from a family member have the higher likelihood of being a match and may eliminate the need to search for a suitable donor in the public registries. Research shows that cord blood transplants using genetically related stem cells result in more than double the survival rate over using unrelated cord blood stem cells from a public bank (63 percent vs. 29 percent,) and significantly lower instances of graft vs. host disease an often fatal transplant complication. (Gluckman, et al, 1998)
Currently there are three free cord blood programs for families in need in the United States. Two are sponsored by private cord blood banks and one is federally funded. To be eligible a family must:
- Care for a child with a disease considered to be treatable by allogeneic (from another person) stem cell transplantation
- Be expecting the birth of a full sibling
- Have the support of an attending physician
Cord Blood Banks Offering Free Programs for Families with a Medical Need
Cord Blood Registry
(CBR) |
Designated Transplant Program |
This privately funded program is intended to help expectant parents with a family member suffering from a disease that can be treated with stem cells. CBR covers the cost of cord blood collection and storage for families until needed for a family with a 1st or 2nd degree relative diagnosed with a disease treatable with stem cells. CBR has provided free cord blood collection and storage for over 1000 families. |
| CorCell |
Sibling Donor Cord Blood Program |
Intended to help families with a child suffering from a disease treatable with stem cells. CorCell covers all costs of collection, courier transportation, processing, testing and storage of the cord blood for five years. |
| Children's Hospital of Oakland (CHORI) with ViaCell |
Sibling Donor Cord Blood Program |
Funded by the National Institute of Health, the CHORI stores cord blood free for families throughout the United States. |
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