Cord Blood & Tissue Banking

Cord blood contains a special type of stem cell called a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC). HSCs are multipotent stem cells that have the capacity for self-renewal in the body and the potential to turn into mature blood cell types.

Cord tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs are a different type of stem cell than those that are collected from cord blood. They can proliferate into skin, connective tissue, bone, cartilage, and even organ cells.

Today, there are 80 FDA-approved treatments using newborn stem cells. Stem cell treatments continue to evolve and transform each year. There are 300+ clinical trials worldwide studying newborn stem cells and perinatal tissues to treat medical conditions including autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and more.

A newborn’s umbilical cord blood and perinatal tissues have the power to do so much more than care for your baby in utero. They are rich in multipotent stem cells, growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix proteins which make up treatments for over 80 conditions and are being studied extensively in hundreds of clinical trials.

When you bank your baby’s cord blood, cord tissue, and placental tissue, you are maximizing your family’s potential to use these life-saving stem cells today and in the future.

Children are genetically unique, meaning their stem cells are too! Investing in biobanking for each child ensures an exact genetic match is available. It also increases the likelihood of a useful match for other family members.

Cord blood remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following a baby’s birth. It’s a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), currently used to treat 80+ serious medical conditions. 
 

Cord tissue refers to the tissue of the umbilical cord, not the blood it contains. Cord tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which can transform into many different kinds of cells, including organ, muscle, bone, and cartilage cells. MSCs are not currently being used for FDA-approved treatment, but they’re being investigated in over 300 clinical trials worldwide because of their potential to revolutionize medical practice. 

Placental tissue is also a rich source of MSCs. Using our proprietary technique, we extract MSCs from the placenta that are a genetic match to the mother and may someday be used therapeutically.

Yes. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a delay in umbilical cord clamping in vigorous term and preterm infants for at least 30–60 seconds after birth. After this time, your team will collect the remaining cord blood for preservation.

First and second-degree family members all have the potential to use your baby's cord blood stem cells.

We offer the industry's highest engraftment guarantee: $110,000. If your child’s cord blood is used in a stem cell transplant and fails to engraft, Americord will pay up to $110,000 to locate an alternate stem cell source if medically indicated. (Terms and conditions apply.)

Stem cell preservation has only existed for the last 30 years. Research shows that if cord blood stem cells and perinatal tissues are properly preserved and cryogenically frozen at liquid nitrogen temperatures (-196 degrees), it should be possible to safely store these cells for decades longer. Some scientists support that with proper storage, stem cells can be cryopreserved for 200+ years without degradation. Dr. Hal Broxmeyer and the Indiana University School of Medicine are conducting a decades-long study on the long-term viability of cord blood and tissues. His study shows that stem cells cryogenically stored for 5, 10, 15, and 23.5 years have highly effective rates of viable stem cell recovery. In the coming years, they will test viability at 30 years.