Stem cells are the body's "master cells" because they are the building blocks of our organ tissues, blood, and the immune system.They can find injured cells and tissue in the body and can start the healing process. Newborn stem cells are currently used in transplant medicine to regenerate healthy blood and immune systems. They are also being researched in an exciting new area of medicine called regenerative medicine, where scientists are studying the use of cord blood and tissue stem cells in experimental treatments for conditions like brain injury, diabetes and autism.

Storing stem cells for your newborn can change or even save a life. Cord blood stem cells have been used for over 30 years to treat more than 80 life-threatening diseases and disorders. Today stem cell therapies continue to evolve, bringing new hope to patients and their families. Below are just a few diseases and disorders that have been treated with cord blood stem cells:

Cancers

• Acute Leukemia
• Chronic Leukemia
• High-Risk Solid Tumors
• Hodgkin & Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Blood disorders

• Aplastic Anemia
• Beta Thalassemia
• Diamond-Blackfan Anemia
• Fanconi Anemia
• Sickle Cell Disease

Immune disorders

• Chronic Granulomatous Disease
• Histiocytic Disorders
• Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency
• Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Diseases
• Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome

Metabolic disorders

• Krabbe Disease
• Hurler Syndrome
• Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
• Sanfilippo Syndrome

Preserving newborn stem cells makes them available for your family. For inherited genetic conditions, the child may not be able to use his or her own stem cells. In these cases, a matched sibling’s stem cells would be the first choice. Only privately storing stem cells for your newborn, offers access to current regenerative medicine clinical trials in autism, diabetes, and brain injury.

Hundreds of thousands of families have chosen to store their newborn’s stem cells with AlphaCord. Collecting and storing a newborn’s stem cells give families a powerful resource against injuries and diseases that can occur in the future. When you decide to store your baby’s cord blood and tissue, these stem cells are collected after the delivery and cryopreserved in a secure facility in the event your family needs them in the future. Some of the important reasons to save stem cells from cord blood and cord/placental tissue include the following:

• Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, that are used in transplant medicine to treat many life-threatening diseases, such as Thalassemia and different types of cancers
• Cord blood is being evaluated today for its ability to treat brain injury, cerebral palsy, autism, and juvenile diabetes
• Your newborn’s cord blood and tissue is immediately available for your family if ever needed for treatment
• If ever required for a transplant, using stem cells from a closely related family member instead of an unrelated donor can have significant advantages, including fewer complications and improved medical outcomes.
• Current clinical trials that use cord blood require the child’s own stem cells
• Having a family history of disease
• Having a baby of an ethnic minority or mixed ethnicity, in which there is greater difficulty finding stem cell donors

The child’s own cord blood may not be used for certain inherited genetic conditions; in those cases, a matched sibling’s stem cells would be the first choice.

Who in the family may possibly use your newborn’s stem cells can depend on a number of variables, including but not limited to:

• The patient’s condition
• If it is a current treatment (transplant medicine) or experimental use (regenerative medicine)
• How closely HLA matched the patient is to the child with preserved cord blood
• How closely related the patient is to the child with preserved cord blood

Saving your newborn’s stem cells with AlphaCord ensures that your baby’s stem cells will be available to your family if you ever need them in the future. Families choose private banking with Alphacord because there are significant benefits to using your own stem cells or stem cells from a family member if ever needed. First or second-degree, generally, who are a suitable match may be able to use your newborn's cord blood stem cells. Full siblings are the most likely to be compatible matches, with 75% chance of being at least a partial match. The child’s biological parents will always be a partial match. Extended family members like grand-parents, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews are less likely to be immune compatible but still have the chance to be a partial match.

Your child will always be a perfect match to his or her own stem cells and could use them for a growing number of diseases, however, not generally for inherited genetic conditions. In those cases, a matched sibling’s stem cells offer the best choice.

Stem cell banking costs are divided into two main categories: initial fees and ongoing storage fees. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Initial Fees: These include the cost of the collection kit, processing, and testing of the stem cells to ensure they are viable for future use. These upfront costs guarantee that the stem cells are properly handled and prepared for long-term preservation.
2. Ongoing Storage Fees: After processing, an annual storage fee is charged to maintain the stem cells in a secure, cryogenic facility. This ensures the cells remain viable and protected for potential future medical treatments.

AlphaCord also offers the option to prepay for 20 years of storage at a discounted rate, giving families long-term security and cost savings. For added flexibility, we provide easy installment plans, making stem cell banking accessible to more families.

For a full breakdown of the costs and payment options, visit our pricing page.