Cord Blood Storage Bank
Although the CHOC Cord Blood Bank is no longer accepting new directed cord blood donations for long-term storage, we remain committed to the ongoing storage and stewardship of cord blood units already entrusted to our program.
If your family has previously elected to store cord blood with CHOC, please ensure your contact information—including your mailing address, email address and phone number—is kept up to date. To update your information or if you have any questions regarding your stored cord blood unit, please contact us at [email protected].
You may also refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below for additional information about cord blood storage and our program.
What is cord blood used for these days?
Cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that can be used in the treatment of various diseases, including:
- Blood Disorders: Leukemia, lymphoma and anemia (e.g., sickle cell anemia).
- Immune Deficiencies: Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and other congenital immune disorders.
- Metabolic Disorders: Certain rare metabolic conditions like Krabbe disease and Hurler syndrome.
Recent advances in the past 15–20 years include:
- Expansion Techniques: Improved methods for expanding the number of stem cells in a single unit to increase the likelihood of successful transplants.
- Regenerative Medicine: Emerging therapies in clinical trials for conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy and type 1 diabetes.
- Gene Editing and Therapy: Integration with technologies like CRISPR to address genetic conditions.
References:
Ballen KK, Gluckman E, Broxmeyer HE. “Umbilical cord blood transplantation: the first 25 years and beyond.” Blood. 2013.
Sullivan MJ. “Banking on cord blood stem cells.” Nature Reviews Cancer. 2008.
How long can cord blood remain viable in storage?
Cord blood stored under proper cryopreservation conditions at liquid nitrogen temperatures (−196°C) has demonstrated viability in published follow-up studies. However, the institution does not guarantee viability for any specific length of storage. Several factors may affect long-term product quality, including the freezing techniques used at the time of collection (older cryopreservation methods may differ from current standards) and the cumulative duration of storage. Units stored for prolonged periods may be more susceptible to gradual cellular damage, and viability can only be confirmed through testing at the time of intended clinical use.
Published studies have observed that:
- Many cord blood units retain stem cell potency and engraftment capacity over extended storage periods, though outcomes vary by unit.
- Viability depends on maintaining storage at liquid nitrogen temperatures (−196°C).
- Viability of any specific unit is confirmed only through laboratory testing at the time of intended clinical use, and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
References:
Broxmeyer HE et al. “High-efficiency recovery of functional hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells from human cord blood cryopreserved for 15 years.” PNAS. 2003.
Kurtzberg J. “Update on umbilical cord blood transplantation.” Current Opinion in Pediatrics. 2009.
Can my stored cord blood be used for my family members?
Cord blood may be used for family members in certain circumstances, particularly siblings, where there is a higher likelihood of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility. Potential uses include:
- Treatment of certain genetic or blood-related conditions.
- Sibling donors for bone marrow failure syndromes or immune disorders.
Important note on family compatibility: not all family members will be a suitable HLA match. The probability that two full siblings are a 6/6 HLA match is approximately 25%, and the likelihood of a match between a child and a parent, or between more distant relatives, is generally lower. If a family member is not a compatible match, the stored unit most likely cannot be used to treat that individual. Compatibility can only be determined through HLA typing performed at the time treatment is being considered.
References:
Wagner JE et al. “Cord blood transplantation for hematologic malignancies.” The New England Journal of Medicine. 2002.
National Marrow Donor Program / Be The Match. HLA matching guidance for related donors.
How often is privately stored cord blood actually used for treatment?
Families considering long-term storage should be aware that, to date, only a very small fraction of privately stored cord blood units are ultimately used for treatment. Published estimates indicate that the utilization rate of privately banked cord blood is well under one percent of stored units, and is substantially lower than the utilization rate of publicly banked units. Reasons for low utilization include the limited number of clinical conditions currently treated with autologous (self) cord blood, the size of a single cord blood unit relative to the cell dose needed for many transplants, and the availability of alternative stem cell sources such as bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells.
Active research is underway exploring potential applications in regenerative medicine, neurological conditions, autoimmune disease, and other areas. These investigational uses may, over time, expand the range of conditions for which stored cord blood is applicable. However, no expansion of indications is guaranteed, and storage should not be undertaken with the expectation that the unit will necessarily be used.
References:
Shearer WT, Lubin BH, Cairo MS, Notarangelo LD. “Cord Blood Banking for Potential Future Transplantation.” American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement. Pediatrics. 2017.
Nietfeld JJ et al. “Lifetime Probabilities of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in the U.S.” Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2008.
How can I access my stored cord blood if needed?
Contact the cord blood bank where your sample is stored. The process typically involves:
- Verifying your identity and consent.
- Coordinating with your healthcare provider and the storage facility for release.
- Transporting the sample under strict guidelines to the treatment facility.
References:
Cord Blood Association (www.cordbloodassociation.org)
Are there alternatives if my stored cord blood isn’t usable?
If your sample is not viable or insufficient for your treatment, alternatives include using other stem cell sources from:
- Public cord blood banks (for unrelated donor matches).
- Bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplants.
- Advances in haploidentical (half-matched) donor transplants.
References:
Gluckman E et al. “Cord blood stem cells: current uses and future challenges.” Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2011.
Why are there storage fees, and who regulates the banks?
The storage fees for cord blood are necessary to cover:
- Maintenance Costs: The hospital or storage facility incurs significant expenses to maintain liquid nitrogen (LN2) freezers at cryogenic temperatures (−196°C), ensuring the long-term viability of the cord blood.
- Regulatory Compliance: Costs associated with adhering to stringent regulatory and quality standards, including staff training, inspections, and record-keeping.
Regulation and accreditation of cord blood banks are handled by:
- The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the U.S., which oversees the safety and quality of cord blood storage and usage.
- FACT (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy) and NetCord, which set international standards for collection, processing, and storage.
- AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) and similar accreditation organizations, which ensure best practices in cord blood banking.
References:
Food and Drug Administration. “Umbilical Cord Blood: Regulatory Requirements.”
Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT). (www.factglobal.org)
NetCord. (www.netcord.org)
Can we release our stored cord blood for research if we no longer wish to store it?
Yes, families who no longer wish to maintain their cord blood in private storage can choose to release it for research purposes, provided the following conditions are met:
- Informed Consent: Families must provide written consent explicitly authorizing the use of the cord blood for research. This ensures the decision aligns with ethical and legal standards.
- Research Compliance: The cord blood may only be used in approved research studies that comply with institutional, state, and federal regulations, such as those outlined by the FDA and IRB (Institutional Review Board).
- Privacy Protections: Personal and health information associated with the cord blood will be anonymized or de-identified to safeguard patient confidentiality.
Families interested in this option should contact their cord blood bank for detailed guidance on the process.
References:
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Guidance for Industry: Cord Blood Banking and Use in Research.”
HHS.gov. “Human Subjects Research Regulations and IRB Requirements.”
NetCord-FACT Standards for Cord Blood Collection, Banking, and Release.