Some of the most important decisions for your baby are made even before they are born. Stem cell banking is one such choice- often overlooked, yet deeply impactful. Some parents are not aware of these powerful stem cells even today. Probably, that’s why they miss this one-time chance to bank their baby’s stem cells at birth.
And when they do learn about it, the next hurdle begins.
Where to bank your baby’s cord blood stem cells – in a public or private stem cell bank? It is thus important to understand the differences between the services and choose the one that best aligns with your needs. In this blog, we will take you through these options and introduce you to a unique approach that combines the benefits of both: LifeCell’s community banking model. Let’s get started.
What Is Stem Cell Banking?
Stem cell banking involves collecting, processing, freezing and preserving your baby’s umbilical cord stem cells using cryogenic technology. These cells have the potential to treat serious conditions like bone marrow diseases requiring a transplant, Sickle cell disease, Immune disorders and cancers like lymphoma or leukaemia.
But why is this discarded treasure worth preserving? The answer lies in the remarkable properties of cord blood stem cells, which hold the potential to unlock the future of personalised treatments.
While stem cell banking offers immense potential, the approach to banking these cells can vary. One such option is public stem cell banking.
What Is Public Stem Cell Banking?
Public stem cell banking involves donating your baby’s stem cells to a public bank, which would prove to be useful for patients in need of a stem cell transplant. The donation process is free, and the stem cells can be accessed by patients across the world through stem cell registries.
Benefits
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No cost involved: Donating to a public stem cell bank is completely free for parents.
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Helps medical progress: Your baby’s stem cells can be used for treatments or research, helping improve future healthcare.
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Supports other families: Your donation could help someone in need find a matching stem cell transplant and get a second chance at life.
Disadvantages:
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No Personal Access: Your family cannot access the stem cells if they are required in the future. It’s available in the public pool and can be accessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Minimal Availability: Not all hospitals or areas have facilities to collect public cord blood donations.
Now, let’s understand private stem cell banking and how it works.
What Is Private Stem Cell Banking?
Private stem cell banking involves paying a fee to bank your baby’s stem cells for your family’s use only. Since the cells are preserved at a private bank, you can access them if they are ever needed for future treatment.
However, in India, the Indian Academy of Paediatrics recommends public stem cell banking over private ones. This is because the chances of a baby needing their own banked stem cells are very low (less than 0.04%). Also, at present, a child’s own stem cells cannot be used to treat certain conditions like genetic disorders, blood cancers, or metabolic diseases.
Benefits:
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Exclusive Ownership: You retain exclusive ownership of your baby’s stem cells, ensuring it is available for your family’s use whenever needed.
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Family Matching: The stem cells would be an exact genetic match for your baby and give better prospects of a match for siblings or other relatives.
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Future Potential: As regenerative medicine continues to advance, the potential uses of stem cells in treatment options are expected to increase.
Cons:
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Cost: Private banking charges a one-time collection fee and annual storage fees, which may not fit all family budgets.
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Likelihood of Use: Right now, it’s unlikely your family will need cord blood stem cells. But this may change in future.
After learning about both private and public banking systems, we now need to understand that the best option is a combination of both, which is LifeCell’s Community Stem Cell Banking. This gives the privilege of a private stem cell bank, while also providing common pool sharing of a public stem cell bank. Let us learn how:
Advantages Of LifeCell’s Community Banking
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Family Coverage: It includes immediate family members of the baby, including parents, siblings, and grandparents (maternal & paternal)
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Protects From Various Medical Conditions: It safeguards the baby from the impact of 90+ conditions & family members from 80+ conditions
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Largest Inventory: The baby and the entire family can access 85,000+ qualified cord blood units if the need for a stem cell transplant ever arises
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Best Matchmaker: Offers > 97% chance of finding an Indian-origin stem cell match
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Medical Insurance: Provide financial assistance up to INR 20 lakhs for every stem cell transplantation
Summing Up
If you want to preserve your newborn’s precious stem cells at the time of birth, then scroll over some links before you finalise the stem cell bank. There are many factors to consider before selecting a reliable stem cell banking plan. It is important to ensure that the bank has the necessary accreditations, licensing requirements, adequate transit and appropriate safety standards. Did you know LifeCell is AABB, NABL and CAP accredited? Also, its manufacturing facilities are authorised by DCGI and AATB-accredited, ensuring the highest quality & safety standards.
We hope this article has given you enough information on stem cell banking. If you still have questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.