Why Parents Choose to Store Cord Blood
Umbilical cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which can regenerate blood and immune systems. These cells are already used in treating leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell disease, and dozens of other conditions.
Parents choose to preserve umbilical cord blood because:
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It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, collection can only happen at birth.
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Stem cells remain viable for decades when properly cryopreserved.
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It offers families a biological safety net for future medical needs.
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Each child’s cord blood is a genetically matched resource, potentially usable for siblings.
Long-term studies show cord blood can remain potent and transplant-ready beyond 20+ years under cryogenic storage conditions (-196°C), with no measurable decline in stem cell function.
How Long Can Umbilical Cord Blood Be Stored?
Scientific research demonstrates remarkable longevity of cryopreserved cord blood stem cells:
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A landmark study (Broxmeyer et al., 2011) found stem cells stored for over 22.5 years retained full viability, colony-forming capacity, and engraftment potential.
(Source: Broxmeyer HE et al., PMC395263) -
Additional long-term follow-up studies (Woods et al., Cryobiology) confirm that cord blood stored for decades behaves equivalently to freshly collected samples.
(Source: PMC4219634) -
More recent clinical evaluations (2021) reaffirm that cryopreserved cord blood units show no significant loss of potency, even after extended storage periods.
(Source: PubMed 33466868)
Cryogenic preservation halts metabolic activity entirely. At temperatures below -150°C, biological aging stops, meaning properly preserved cord blood is expected to remain stable for many decades, potentially a lifetime.
Cord blood transplants have helped thousands of patients. Two memorable success stories that highlight the life-changing impact include:
Crystal Day
Crystal was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, and her sibling’s cord blood became her lifeline. After transplant, she experienced a successful recovery and today shares her story as an advocate for cord blood awareness.
Gregg Gordon
Gregg was born with a genetic disorder requiring a stem cell transplant. His family had banked his sibling’s cord blood, which matched perfectly and led to a successful transplant and restored health.
Additional Successes
Beyond Crystal and Gregg, cord blood transplants have helped:
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Children with leukemia achieve remission
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Patients with sickle cell disease experience full immune recovery
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Individuals with inherited metabolic disorders regain critical cellular function
Many families privately credit their decision to store cord blood as the reason a life-saving match was immediately available when their child needed it most.
The Benefits of Long-Term Cord Blood Storage
A Lifelong Medical Resource
Cord blood stem cells can treat more than 80 diseases, including cancers, immune deficiencies, and blood disorders. Long-term preservation ensures these cells remain available throughout a child’s entire life.
Future Regenerative Medicine Potential
Scientists are studying how cord blood may one day help treat:
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Cerebral palsy
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Autism spectrum disorders
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Heart disease
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Type 1 diabetes
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Organ repair and regeneration
The longer cord blood is stored, the more future breakthroughs it can support.
Benefits for Siblings
Cord blood can sometimes be used for siblings due to genetic matching probabilities:
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25% chance of a perfect match
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50% chance of a partial match
Families often bank cord blood for each child to expand treatment possibilities across all siblings.
Emotional Reassurance
Parents describe long-term storage as:
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A gift for their children’s futures
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A source of comfort knowing medical options exist
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A family health investment that grows in value as medical science advances
How to Preserve Cord Blood for Your Family’s Future
Preserving cord blood is simple, safe, and completely non-invasive. Here’s how families get started:
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Enroll before your due date to receive your collection kit.
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Bring the kit with you to the hospital on delivery day.
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Your provider collects the cord blood after the baby is born, painless for mother and child.
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AlphaCord arranges fast, temperature-controlled transport to the lab.
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The stem cells are processed, tested, and cryopreserved for secure long-term storage.
Cord blood preservation is a one-time opportunity at birth but provides a lifetime of possibilities.
Learn more about long-term cord blood preservation with AlphaCord and discover how you can protect your family’s future health.
FAQs About Long-Term Cord Blood Preservation
How long can umbilical cord blood be stored?
Clinical research has shown that cord blood can remain viable for at least 20–25 years, with no measurable decline in stem cell function when preserved under proper cryogenic conditions. Studies indicate that stem cells stored for over two decades behave the same as freshly collected cells in terms of growth, potency, and transplant success.
Does cord blood lose effectiveness over time?
No. Published studies (Broxmeyer et al., 2011; Woods et al., 1999; Liu et al., 2021) demonstrate that cryopreserved cord blood maintains stable viability and engraftment potential over long-term storage. Cryogenic temperatures (-150°C to -196°C) halt all cellular aging, keeping cells biologically preserved.
Is long-term cord blood storage safe?
Yes. Cord blood is stored in specialized, FDA-regulated cryogenic facilities. The freezing process uses controlled-rate cooling and vapor-phase liquid nitrogen to preserve cellular integrity. Storage tanks have continuous temperature monitoring and backup systems to ensure long-term stability.
Can cord blood help siblings in the future?
Yes. Siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect match and a 50% chance of being a partial match for cord blood transplants. Long-term storage increases the likelihood that matched stem cells will be available if future medical needs arise.
What medical conditions can stored cord blood treat?
Cord blood is currently used to treat 80+ diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, and various immune disorders. Ongoing research explores future uses in regenerative medicine such as autism, cerebral palsy, heart disease, diabetes, and organ repair.
Can cord blood stored today be used decades later?
Yes. There is no known expiration date for properly cryopreserved cord blood. Long-term studies confirm that stem cells remain functional and transplant-ready even after more than 20 years of storage, and experts anticipate viability well beyond that timeframe.
Why do parents choose long-term cord blood storage?
Parents often store cord blood to:
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Provide a lifelong medical resource for their child
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Keep genetically matched stem cells available for siblings
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Prepare for future advances in regenerative medicine
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Secure peace of mind knowing they’ve preserved a once-in-a-lifetime biological asset
