As I have mentioned before, there is a ton to think about before having a baby. These days with so much information out there, it’s hard NOT to over think things. Especially when you are me. You even find yourself thinking about things that you really didn’t even know you had to think about?? One of those things for me was Cord Blood Donation. I never really thought much about it, and because of the high costs I wasn’t sure if it was for me. But after a friend just did it, and I have gotten more information about it, I really think it’s something that is important for our little Pooh Bear.
As far as I know there are two main options. The first is a private banking company, and the second is a public one. The private company is rather expensive, BUT should you need your babies cord blood you have an exact match. If you go with a public one, if someone matches to your baby and takes your cord blood, then you need it you have to try to find a match with someone else. Not to mention that with private, if you deliver on the weekends they do not come to pick it up. So the question then is, what is important to you???
After a lot of thought I have decided it’s important to donate the cord blood to a private company. I understand that the research is still in it’s early stages, but I don’t want to look back and wish I had done it.I mean look at what stem cells have been found to help cure! (Cord Blood Uses) The cost now could be totally worth it in the future, and I never want to regret that. Your babies cord blood is a perfect genetic match for your baby, and may be a match for siblings and other family members.
CBR vs. Viacord
The two biggest PRIVATE cord blood companies (as far as I know) are Viacord and CBR (Cord Blood Registry). My friend just used CRB when she had her baby, and highly recommends them. But to be fair I decided to give both companies a call to see about pricing. Both claim to be the best, but what’s the difference?
I called Viacord first. I will say that I wasn’t exactly pleased with their customer service. The man on the phone was nice, and answered my questions, but that was it. He let me off the phone VERY easily which I didn’t think was a good sales tactic. I was told that their fee was $2250 with an annual fixed rate of $125/year. The rate sounded about where I thought they would start, but I was under the impression that they then offer “discounts”. When I asked about this, and told them I received an offer for a discount at CBR, I was told that the only way they give discounts is if I get an offer from my OB. So it didn’t sound like they were going to budge. I am not sure yet about OB discounts, but it’s worth asking.
I called CBR next. I was VERY impressed with their customer service. They gave a lot of information, and the woman I spoke with was very helpful. Their rate was $2195 with a $250 discount from a coupon I found. So that makes the fee $1945 with $125/year. But then she threw in a little bump…she mentioned something called cord tissue donation. What the heck is this??? Basically it’s the “newest” technology that may offer better matching potential and may even allow for bone repair which cord blood does not. With the discounts given for this, and if I did this WITH the cord blood the rate for that would be $720! But I am a little hesitant about this. It’s so new? Will any of this technology really help my child in the future??? I guess no matter what I am always going to be behind in the newest scientific findings.
Here is some info that was sent to me from CBR about the cord tissue…
The Cord Tissue contains a rich source of stem cells, called mesenchymal stem cellswhich have the ability to create structural and connective tissue in the body, as well as repair and regenerate differentiating themselves from hematopoietic stem cells which are found in cord blood and are used in the treatment of diseases. These cells are being used in over 80 clinical trials, showing potential in ligament and bone repair, cartilage regeneration, as well as the re-growth of blood vessels, thus providing hope for heart conditions and stroke. These discoveries are similar to the potential seen in Cord Blood fifteen years ago. Today Cord Blood is treating over eighty diseases. Because of the success of these trials Cord Blood Registry has begun offering this service after over two years of thorough research
Looks like science is going in the right direction. But if you read this it says that the potential in cord tissue is what they saw in cord blood 15 years ago…is the science behind cord blood even that good these days??
The Verdict?
Well I hated Viacords customer service, but I also didn’t like something about CRB. I didn’t like that they were willing to negotiate price ONLY if got a better price from viacord first. See I’m in sales, and one thing my boss (my dad) always tells me to say to a customer is “I’m not in the business of keeping your other vendors honest”. If they were able to give me the discount if Viacord could, then why couldn’t they give it to me in the first place?
So what’s the difference between the two? Well I got so much more info from CBR due to their good customer service so I have more info on them. From what I gather Viacord is an older more well known company. CBR claims to have the newest technology, which supposedly allows them to gather more stem cells from each sample. They also claim to be the only company that store the cord tissue.
So which way are we going? Not sure! I guess you have to look at it as taking out insurance. You hope you don’t get into an accident, but if you do you are certainly glad you have been paying for the insurance. This definitely is a conversation I need to have with Captain Awesome. It was great to get it all typed out here though. Do any of you have any experience with either of these companies? Any thoughts?
I thought about this a lot earlier in my pregnancy as well. One thing to keep in mind is that most doctors I talked to expressed that even if one’s baby is born with a number of issues that are technically treatable by cord blood, they can NOT use their own cord blood to treat them, because the genetic abnormality causing the issue (say, cancer) is also present in the cord blood, so it’s of no use even though it is a “perfect match”. Also, the technology is so new that every doctor I asked (from general practitioners to OB’s to pediatricians) said that they have never seen cord blood be used to treat most of the issues that cord blood storage companies list on their websites, even though it is POSSIBLE.
I came to the conclusion that private banking was only something to consider if someone in your family (another child, perhaps) already has a condition that could be treated by a sibling’s cord blood, and a suitable donor was not found in the public registry. In my case, as this is my first child and we do not have any preexisting conditions that lead me to believe we will need cord blood, it does not seem worth it.
PUBLIC donation, however, can save many, many lives. So that’s something to consider.
See I understand that the technology isn’t there now. But what about 5, 7 years from now? I just don’t want to look back and regret missing out on it b/c of the expense right now. I guess it’s a gamble yes…but I have to think it’s worth it? Look at what it says they can possibly cure right now..
http://www.cordbloodbankingguide.com/cord-blood-uses.html
I don’t know..something to think about. I guess it’s more like taking out insurance. You hope you don’t get in an accident and need it, but when you do you are pretty happy you did.
We banked with Viacord with Leah and some of her blood is part of a trial study for the drug Lamictal (I took it while pregnant with her). We delayed clamping with Louis. Since having Leah I did a bit more research and felt that delayed clamping may actually be better in terms of protecting the baby from diseases and so forth than banking the blood. Who knows, maybe with the next one I will give birth at Manhasset and choose public banking. Plainview doesn’t have the option.
I do have to say that as far as customer service goes Viacord used to be great but I found that the past 2 years or so they aren’t where they used to be.
If you want to do this, do the math. If you feel the added expense is something you guys can handle without burdening yourselves then do it.
I agree with you. It truly is like insurance and I know personally if I didn’t do it and God Forbid something happened and the cells from the collection could have helped I would be devastated if I didn’t collect. In my opinion it is better to be safe than sorry. But just like everything-you have to do what is best for you and your family.
I never even knew that you could do this in the first place!
Cord blood banking is one of the most important decisions you will make about ensuring your baby’s and family’s healthy future. While it is unlikely your baby or any one in your family will suffer from a life threatening disease such as blood cancer. It is however likely that they may need to have cord blood treat another type of medical condition or injury.
Tremendous advancements are being made constantly in the field of stem cell research. So the potential use for stem cells in the future is very high!
I am so glad to hear that you have decided to save your baby’s cord blood. I encourage you to please educate yourself before making your final choice on a private bank.
Also I recommend you check out CorCell, they are a fantastic private company. They offer unmatched customer service and have just launched a new financial program called Afford-A-Cord to help make banking more affordable.
I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you!
We banked our children’s cord blood over 11 years ago!
Over a year ago my 11 year old was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. If you don’t know about type 1, its horrible (I’d never let her hear that!) Finger pricks before every meal, counting carbs, weighting food, a shot with breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bed. 3am checks when I’m afraid she might go low. NOT FUN! She is handling it great!
We had to find out for ourselves as none of the specialist at the hosp. knew that they are now using cord blood in studies and they are seeing great potential in reversing type 1 diabetes. Its not a cure, yet… I feel so strongly about this and am so thankful that I did it that I started my own company(Center for Stemcell Awareness) to spread the awareness.
I couldn’t believe what I found on the internet about all the advances in cord blood stem cell therapies. There are over 2900 clinical trials right now on UCB stem cells. I currently work to educate expectant parents and medical professionals about the importance of cord blood banking. I have to be honest its not the 80 diseases that they know they can treat it’s the work that they’re doing in regenerative medicine that’s what excites me. I just wish they’d hurry up!
I am also working with a leader in the industry and have been able to get the price down to $1750. Considering that it costs $1850 11 yrs. ago I was thrilled with my accomplishment. But I must say that the OB’s are not very enthusiastic, many of them are not interested and really don’t want to be bothered. I have been very surprised.
I thought it was a no brainer I had the money and did it, if I didn’t have the money I would have donated it. I’m in Sarasota, FL and we don’t have a public option I am hoping as the awareness spreads that we can evidently get a public option here.
Sorry for the long post I could go on & on.