When it comes to preserving your newborn’s stem cells, it’s important to understand the different types of banking options available. Cord blood banking and stem cell banking offer distinct benefits. Comparing their costs and advantages can help you make the best decision for your family. This guide breaks down the key differences, including processing fees, storage plan fees and additional costs.
Cord blood banking and stem cell banking involve preserving either cord blood, cord tissue or banking LIVE stem cells for potential medical use. The types of cells collected, processing methods, and future applications differ significantly.
Cord Blood Banking
Cord blood banking involves collecting and storing leftover blood from the umbilical cord after birth, which contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs)—blood and immune system stem cells.- Primarily used for treating blood-related conditions like leukemia and lymphoma.
- Not for the child’s personal use. Utilized in a matched donor for a stem cell transplant.
- They are not intended for regenerative medicine or tissue repair.
- A key limitation is the small supply of blood left in the cord, and these cells cannot be multiplied for future use.
- Option to store the umbilical cord.
Stem Cell Banking
Stem cell banking, specifically newborn stem cell banking, involves the collection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)- connective tissue stem cells, primarily found in the cord tissue but also present in small amounts in the cord blood.- Primarily used in regenerative medicine. These therapies harness the power of stem cells to repair damaged tissues, promote healing, and potentially reverse certain health conditions, offering long-term health benefits for the child. For Child’s personal use.
- Potent anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties, making them potentially valuable in combatting a wide range of conditions, including orthopedic, traumatic brain injuries, and various inflammatory disorders.
- A key benefit is that these cells can be culture expanded (grown) to potentially billions of live stem cells ensuring there is an adequate supply for multiple therapies potentially throughout the child’s life.
Factors Affecting Costs of Cord Blood and Stem Cell Banking
Processing Fees
- Cord Blood Processing:Cord blood is processed in a machine to isolate and freeze HSCs. The quantity stored is limited and cannot be expanded.
- Cord Tissue Storage:Cord tissue is stored in whole segments or at best the MCSs are extracted and not expanded. The processing fee does not include growing out the cells, which is required for use as there is a severely limited amount of stem cells natively available in the cord tissue.
- Stem Cell Processing:Stem cell banking includes isolating and expanding mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to ensure a sufficient number of cells accessible for multiple uses. Depending on the stem cell bank, this process guarantees viable cells for future use, with some banks offering refunds if cell growth fails.
Storage Duration
- Annual Storage Plans:Flexible annual plans allow families to renew each year. These plans are ideal for those seeking short-term or flexible solutions. Annual storage plans are susceptible to pricing increases.
- Long-Term Storage Plans:Families may opt for long-term storage options, such as 18- or 25-year plans. These plans may come at a discounted rate compared to renewing annually and lock client’s prices for a set amount of years.
Additional Costs
- Collection Kits and Medical Courier Fees:These costs are often included in the total service fee.
- Cell or Sample Retrieval: If clients are able to access their cells, there are either additional release costs or price per amount of live stem cells requesting.
What Are the Costs of Cord Blood Banking vs. Stem Cell Banking?
Average Cord Blood Banking Costs
- Initial collection and processing fee range from $1,500–$2,500 (one-time fee). This covers the collection kit, transportation, and processing. Some banks also offer to store cord tissue, which may add an extra $1,000 for collection (this does not include processing or growing the stem cells which is required for use. There could be an additional cost). This brings the total range to $2,500–$3,500.
- Annual storage fees range from $200-$450 per year offering discounted long-term storage plans.
- There is not a cost amount published for growing out live stem cells (required for use) because cord blood banks don’t offer this service. This leaves children with no useable cells.
Stem Cell Banking costs at VitalCells
- Initial collection, processing and growing stem cells (required for use) starts at $4,500, including a guarantee of at least 10 million LIVE usable grown out mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In addition, VitalCells offers prepaid cell packages starting at 100 million cells that makes stem cells accessible within 48-72 of request.
- Annual storage fee of $350 offering discounted long-term storage plans.
- Cost per live stem cells depends on the prepaid package and comes in quantities of 10 million live mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Access to potentially billions of liveMSCs throughout client’s life.
Final Thoughts: Choosing Between Cord Blood & Tissue Storage Banking and Stem Cell Banking
- Cord Blood & Tissue Banking: Focuses on a limited amount of blood cells for donor use and is typically more affordable. Additionally, many banks offer to store umbilical cord tissue. However, without cell expansion (which is required for use), additional fees may apply, and there is no guarantee of live, viable stem cells. This option has very limited uses and for only one-time access.
- Stem Cell Banking: Focuses on collecting and culture-expanding mesenchymal stem cells from cord blood and cord tissue, providing live cell counts, the ability to grow the cells potentially into billions, and ensuring that the stem cells are available for immediate use. Additionally, there is known value in this process, as VitalCells offers a money-back guarantee if the stem cells do not grow successfully. Investing in newborn stem cell bankingcan offer long-term health benefits, particularly if you’re looking for a more comprehensive solution to safeguard your child’s health. These cells are being used today in medical practices and studies for a wide range of conditions and cells are available for multiple uses throughout the client’s life.
