Cord blood, derived from the umbilical cord soon after the birth of a baby, is the main source for stem cells. Chances are you’ve already heard many people talking about stem cell transplant and why you need to bank them. Do you really need it? If you do, what are the things you should consider before choosing 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 pros for stem cells 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. You can provide your kid with healthy cells that can help cure life threatening diseases. There are a number of diseases like leukemia, heart disease and spinal cord injuries that can be treated with these transplants.

· Cord stem cell banking does not involve any injury or pain to the mother or the child. There is no pain involved for the baby since the cells are taken from the umbilical cord that has already been cut out.

· Cord stem cell banking is very helpful when you need transplants for the parents or for a sibling also. When a patient needs a bone marrow transplant, he faces a lot of risk. There is a chance that the body may reject the transplant. It’s rare for a stem cell to be rejected. 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 at the facility- larger sample handling means that there are more hands involved in the procedure and better infrastructure.

· 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? Are those affordable?

· How will these costs affect your savings in the long run? Are the costs going to be the same or will they change over time?

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

Cord stem cell banking is not an easy decision to take-but it is an important one. Consider all the factors before you decide on what is right for you.