 |
Cord Blood
The Elie Katz Umbilical Cord Blood Program�s Family Bank:
Give the Gift of a Lifetime
Did you know stem cells harvested at a baby�s birth are a 100% match for your baby, and could also be a match for a sibling or other family member? The blood found in a baby's umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which can be used for the treatment of many life-threatening diseases. Too often precious cord blood is discarded after a baby�s birth. Saving those cord blood stem cells in the Elie Katz Umbilical Cord Blood Program�s family bank at Community Blood Services could be the best treatment option to save a loved one�s life.
Stem cell transplants are currently being used in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, sickle cell anemia, cerebral palsy, aplastic anemia and various other cancers, blood diseases, hereditary conditions and immune system disorders. In the future, stem cells may be used to fight heart disease, breast cancer, diabetes, Parkinson�s disease, Alzheimer�s disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Parkinson�s disease, AIDS, and a score of other genetic diseases.
What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are found concentrated in bone marrow and umbilical cord blood. Stem cells make the three types of blood cells that we need to survive: red cells to carry oxygen throughout our bodies, platelets to prevent bleeding and white cells to form our immune systems and guard us against infection. When stem cells are damaged or destroyed during aggressive treatment for cancer or other diseases, they can be replaced through bone marrow or cord blood transplants.
How Are Stem Cells Collected and Stored?
Stem cells are collected from the umbilical cord after your baby's birth. The registration process is easy and the collection, which only takes about five minutes, is safe for you and your baby. Your physician, midwife, nurse or trained technician can collect the cord blood at
participating hospitals throughout the northeast. The blood is collected in a blood bag that is packaged in a specially designed container and delivered to our facility where it is processed, using an automated technology system called SEPAX. Once processing is completed, the cord blood unit is stored in liquid nitrogen freezers and monitored until needed.
If you have registered your collection with us and alerted your doctor and hospital ahead of time, your baby�s stem cells will be collected and stored without any additional effort on your part other than placing a call to our 24-hour toll free number when it is time to pick up the cord blood unit.
There is a one-time collection fee and annual storage fee for this service.
Community Blood Services is able to offer competitive pricing because we provide a full range of services, including collection, testing and storage. We charge competitive fees for saving your baby�s cord blood through our family banking program. Our program is operated by our highly certified staff, which has extensive experience in the field of stem cells, and is overseen by our distinguished Scientific/Medical Advisory Panel, comprised of experts in the fields of stem cell biology, transplantation medicine, pediatrics, and maternity medicine
-
Our standard collection fee is $1,650, which can be paid in full or in three easy installments.
-
We offer a 10% discount when the collection fee is paid in full.
-
Our annual storage fee is $120.
-
If your employer is one of our Premier Partners, you may be eligible for a discount.
How We Compare
| � |
Elie Katz Umbilical Cord Blood Program |
Viacord |
Cord Blood Registry |
| Year Established |
1996 |
1995 |
1995 |
| Number of Transplants |
>(150) * |
>39 |
>93 |
| Laboratory Location |
NJ |
KY |
AZ |
| AABB Accreditation |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Processing Fee |
$1650 |
$2050 |
$1875 |
| Annual Storage Fee |
$120 |
$125 |
$125 |
| Automated Processing* |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
* transplant units released from both family and public banks
Sibling Donor Program
Our family banking program also offers a Sibling Donor Program to eligible families. This program facilitates the collection of umbilical cord blood at time of delivery from newborn siblings of children with diseases that could potentially be treated with a cord blood transplant. Our staff works closely with each family and their health care provider through every step of the cord blood collection process. If you qualify, there is no charge for collection and storage.
You Have a Choice
You can choose instead to donate your baby�s cord blood to the New Jersey Cord Blood Bank (NJCBB) at Community Blood Services for use by a patient somewhere in the world who is suffering from a life-threatening disease and needs a transplant. Your baby�s stem cells will be offered on a first-come basis to any transplant candidate whose physician considers the cord blood a suitable match for the patient. There is no charge to donate your baby's stem cells to our public bank.
The NJCBB is the public cord blood bank for the State of New Jersey, which was the first state in the U.S. to create a publicly funded umbilical cord blood and placental blood bank and education program.
To find out more about how to preserve your baby�s precious cord blood:
1-866-SAVCORD (728-2673)
|
|
