What is Cord Blood Banking?

Your baby’s umbilical cord blood is a rich source of precious stem cells. These stem cells have the ability to repair and protect the body from within by transforming (differentiating) into many different types cells within blood and tissue.

Cord blood banking is the process of collecting, processing and storing these cells for use in potential future medical uses. Currently, cord blood stem cells are being used to manage cancerous blood disorders such as leukaemia, blood conditions like Fanconi anaemia and much more.

Doctors, scientists and industry experts widely believe that cord blood stem cells will play a key role in the future of medicine, and may soon provide solutions to improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as the ability to develop into entire organs.

Cord blood stem cells are unique to your baby; a 100% HLA match. They also carry a 25% chance of perfectly matching a sibling, so you know that should these cells ever be required there will be no waiting and hoping for a suitable donor, and no fear of the body rejecting them.

There is only one chance to bank your baby’s cord blood stem cells; the day they are born. Get in touch with us today to find out more about the benefits of cord blood banking.

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How does it work?

The science behind cord blood banking is complicated, but storing your baby’s stem cells couldn’t be simpler. Here’s how it works

Cord blood collection kit at home

We send you your collection kit well before the birth date, which contains everything you need to collect the sample (make sure you have it with you on the big day!)

Cord blood samples and collection kit

After birth, your consultant (or a phlebotomist provided by us) will extract the sample, and place it back into the collection kit

Courier van

Our dedicated courier then collects the kit from the baby’s place of birth, delivering it to our Laboratory in Nottingham

Once arrived we,

Microscope

Check your sample is healthy and viable for future use

Cord blood sample bag and collection tubes

Process your sample to concentrate the number of cord blood stem cells stored, and split into multiple portions for future use

Notebook with ticks

Double check the health of the sample and count the number of cells extracted, to make sure it’s ready and viable should it ever be needed in the future

Cryogenic storage tank

Your baby’s sample is then cryogenically frozen in liquid nitrogen vapour, and stored in our facilities for decades to come

Map with vials

Should you ever need to use your sample, we’ll take care of everything and can ship it anywhere in the world, free of charge

What's in the kit

Our temperature controlled kits contain the best equipment possible.

Although each component has its own unique contribution, when combined the kit has one purpose, to deliver your sample to our lab in quality condition.

NanoCool engine

NanoCool engine is a device used to maintain a stable temperature of 2-8 degrees for up to 83 hours keeping the sample at this temperature during transit.

Tempmate data logger

Used to record the temperature within the kit during transit

Bio-pouch

Used for transit this will stop blood tubes & blood bags from exploding under pressure or leaking and causing any risk to handlers of the sample.

Plastic zip lock bag with absorbent towel

Bag used to contain any leaks which occur while in transit

Umbilical cord blood collection bag

Bag used to collect cord blood

Vacutainer and needle adaptor

Used to collect maternal bloods

Maternal blood tubes

Used to store the maternal bloods

Why choose Future Health?

Once you’ve decided that cord blood banking is for you, you then need to decide which biobank you’re going to trust with your baby’s sample. Here's why we think you should choose us:

Globe icon

One of the world's most accredited cell banks

Cell samples in tubes

Free release and shipment of your sample worldwide

Samples released for treatment in the USA, Europe and the Middle East