Learn About Cord Blood - Four Steps of Storage
1. COLLECTION
After Registering with Alpha Cord, a Collection Kit will be sent to you. Collection
begins after the umbilical cord has been cut and clamped. Your newborn is completely
safe and out-of-the-way during this process. You will feel no pain during the collection.
Your Healthcare Professional will insert the needle of the collection bag into the
vein of the umbilical cord. Collection takes only 5-10 minutes to complete. Approximately
1-2 cups of Cord Blood will be obtained. |
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A large amount of blood can be collected.
Less chance of contamination of the blood sample.
Bags are well suited for long distance travel.
Nutrients and Preservatives that stabilize the blood are pre-mixed in the bag.
Bags are the "gold standard". They have been used for blood collection by the Red Cross for many years.
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2. TRANSPORTATION
After the collection process has been completed, you will place the pre-paid and
pre-addressed shipping label on the transportation box. You will call the toll free
number listed. A courier will come to your room to pick-up the kit. The cost of
transportation is included in our service.
Cord Blood must always be kept at ROOM TEMPERATURE. It is surprisingly
stable and can remain in the collection device up to 72 hours prior to processing
at the lab.
There are 2 basic methods of transporting your baby's Cord Blood from the delivery
room to the lab:
1. FedEx Clinical - Priority A.M. Overnight Service
2. Instant Upgrade To "Same Day Air" courier
Priority A.M. Overnight Service
Priority Overnight Service is included as part of our service, there is no additional fee. FedEx has a legendary
reputation. Next morning delivery is guaranteed to arrive before 10am. Most of the
labs actually receive these packages before 8am the next morning. The Fed Ex service
includes a driver dispatched to your hospital for bedside pick-up.
Instant Upgrade To Same Day Air
If you wish, you can "Instant Upgrade" to our Same Day Air service. A courier will
come to your bedside for the pick-up. They are available 24 hours per day, 7 days
per week. Total elapsed transport time is typically less than 12 hours.
Upgrading is easy. Every kit contains a white envelope named SAME DAY AIR UPGRADE.
Simply open this envelope and use the shipping label enclosed. Be sure to throw
away the FedEx label. "Instant Upgrades" which occur Monday - Friday will incur
an additional cost of $149. "Instant Upgrades" which occur Saturday, Sunday or on a
National Holiday will incur an additional cost of $195. This will be billed to your
account.
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3. STORAGE
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Once your child's Cord Blood reaches the lab, it will be processed and cryopreserved
by a team of highly trained technicians. All of our labs perform slow-rate induction
of the cells into the freezing process. Over many hours, your
child’s stem cells are gradually brought from room temperature to -190 C. This time consuming process
helps ensure the safety and long term preservation of these cells. After processing,
they are placed into permanent storage.
Your Cord Blood will be stored
in a sterile cryogenic bag with two discreet compartments. This bag system
will hold as many stems cells as your physician can collect.
The most important factors effecting the total amount of viable cells stored are:
1)
Be sure your physician or midwife takes his or her time and collects as much Cord
Blood as possible.
2)
Be sure the lab you use has a good track record of putting a high percentage of
viable cells/stem cells (referred to as the "cell count") into storage after the
processing phase has been completed. Most accredited labs perform tests on each
unit before and after processing to be sure there is an abundant cell count prior
to cryogenic storage. All of our labs do this.
Go to Compare Labs to see the Storage Method used by each participating lab.
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They have been in use for decades.
They are the storage method preferred by the FDA.
They have a proven history of yielding successful transplants.
Transplant physicians are accustomed to using cryo bags in stem cell therapies.
Each bag has a second compartment for future use or cell expansion.
These bags are closed by a form of heat sealing. This helps
prevent accidental opening or leakage.
They are not rigid and not prone to accidental breakage.
Cryo bags allow your entire store of cells to be frozen
in one continuous container / device. Not having your cells in two or more containers
helps eliminate the loss or improper use of your cells.
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4. POST PROCESSING
Security and Backup Procedures Security are very important. Your baby's Cord Blood is
placed in a secure room that can only be accessed by a swipe card or keyless entry
system. Every staff member takes the issue of security very seriously. Only authorized
personnel are allowed to enter the restricted area where the units are stored. They
are as concerned about security from a business liability standpoint as you are
from a "peace of mind" standpoint. Labs usually hire an outside company to monitor
their storage tanks (Like the alarm system in your home). These companies alert
the staff if the liquid levels or temperature within the tank become abnormal. They
also alert staff if there is an electrical failure. Most labs have a back up tank.
In the unlikely event of a tank failure, samples can be readily moved to the spare
without endangering your baby's sample.
Go to
Compare Labs to see the Backup Procedures used by each participating lab.