Many parents wonder if they have to choose between banking their baby’s cord blood or cord tissue, and which option may be the best or the most affordable. In fact, cord blood and cord tissue stem cells each have a unique ability to address different diseases and conditions! Banking both cord blood and cord tissue is helpful in ensuring you, your baby and your immediate family have a powerful combination of different kinds of stem cells available in the future.
Cord Blood vs. Cord Tissue
Cord blood is rich in a type of stem cell known as hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). These cells have an incredible ability to renew and differentiate to specialized cells. HSC transplants are commonly used to treat cancer patients and patients suffering from blood or immune system disorders. This makes HSCs especially valuable to families concerned about possible future diseases and conditions.
Umbilical cord tissue is also an exceptional source of stem cells that can be valuable in many stem cell therapies. Cord tissue cells are medically known as Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and have shown excellent potential in regenerative medicine and gene therapy. MSCs have the amazing ability to renew by dividing and differentiating into other tissues such as muscle, cartilage, connective tissue and bone.
HSCs and MSCs each carry unique properties for use in stem cell therapies to treat many medical conditions and diseases. It is not a matter of one type of stem cell being “better” than the other, but rather, the added benefit of having access to both types of powerful cells.
Cord Tissue Benefits
Expecting parents sometimes do a great deal of research into the benefits of cord blood banking, but may not have considered the added benefit of storing their baby’s cord tissue. Parents are encouraged to bank cord blood and cord tissue so that they have future access to HSCs and MSCs, both of which hold unique potential in stem cell treatments and therapy.
Mesenchymal stem cells, such as those found in cord tissue, have shown potential to be used in the treatment or prevention of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), a potentially fatal disease that can occur when a patient’s body rejects donor stem cells that have been engrafted (or transplanted) into the patient. Many clinical studies are underway to explore the use of MSCs as a therapy for GVHD, especially in patients who are unresponsive to corticosteroids traditionally used to suppress immune response during stem cell transplantation.
Hundreds of MSCs clinical trials are underway to explore the use of these stem cells in the treatment of autism, metabolic disorders, auto-immune disorders, diabetes and many other diseases & debilitating conditions. This high number of clinical trials is important to note, as MSC research is only funded when there is significant evidence to suggest that an effective treatment can be developed.
Cord Tissue Banking Pricing
MiracleCord offers many affordable cord blood and cord tissue banking packages with convenient one-time or 12 month payment plans available. Compared to other cord blood banks in the U.S, MiracleCord leads the industry in quality, customer service and cost.
Our pricing is all-inclusive with no hidden fees or added costs over time. We make the process of collecting, processing and storing your baby’s cord blood and cord tissue easy and stress-free. Once you enroll you’ll receive a StemCare® thermal cord blood and cord tissue collection kit, which you will take with you to the hospital or other birth center.
Immediately after the birth of your baby, your doctor/midwife will collect the cord blood and cord tissue. This process takes about five minutes, is completely painless and poses no risk to mother or baby. Once the cord blood and cord tissue have been collected, a medical courier will transport the blood and tissue specimens to our laboratory.
Your baby’s cord blood and cord tissue will be processed, tested and cryogenically stored where it can be accessed any time in the future if needed as part of a lifesaving stem cell treatment or therapy.
We understand that you may have many questions about cord blood and cord tissue banking, and we’re happy to help you make the right choice for you, your baby and your family. Download our Free Info Kit, or call us at 888-743-2673 to speak with one of our knowledgeable cord blood banking educators.
