Learn more about Stem Cells from our resource page. We talk about the benefits of these mighty cells and how they play a key role in future treatments.

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.

This continues to be an open question within the scientific community. According to data from Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation the cumulative probability of having a stem cell transplant increases as people get older, since rates of cancer increase. In the US, 1 in 217 people will have a stem cell transplant (not just need one, but have one) by age 70. Hence the cord blood that parents store from their newborn might be of help to an immediate family member years from now. The cord blood is most likely to match first degree relatives: siblings and parents.

Full siblings are the most likely to be compatible matches, with 75% chance of being at least a partial match. Learn more here.

All stem cells are genetically unique. Therefore, it is wise to save each child’s blood to ensure an exact match for that child. There have been many cases where a family member’s cord blood was used to treat another family member. More units stored creates better odds of matching a different recipient.

This remarkable organ is responsible for transferring oxygen and nutrients between mother and baby. Tissue from the placenta is an abundant source of mesenchymal stem cells, and these cells are being studied around the world for applications in regenerative medicine, due to their well-documented ability to reduce inflammation and modulate the immune system. The placenta also contains epithelial stem cells that are precursors to the growth of skin, and endothelial stem cells that can promote blood vessel formation.

It is often difficult to find a matching bone marrow unit/donor. Stem cells from your newborn’s cord blood are a perfect match for that child. Often, there is a greater likelihood a family member can use another’s cord blood stem cells than stem cells from bone marrow because of a lower risk of rejection. Cord blood collection is a pain free procedure and much simpler to collect than a bone marrow extraction.

They are related but not identical. Stem cell preservation refers to the long-term storage of stem cells in a cryogenic facility, while stem cell banking is the broader process that includes collection, testing, processing, and preservation.

AlphaCord provides full-service stem cell banking so your family’s stem cells are collected, processed, and safely stored for decades.

The cord blood is collected immediately following the birth of the baby, using an FDA approved, sterile cord blood collection bag. The baby is safe, out of the way, and not involved in the collection process. Collection is pain free and takes about 5-10 minutes. Once the cord blood has been collected, the umbilical cord is cut and placed in its sterile container. Following placental delivery, your doctor/midwife will place the placenta in the designated sterile bag. It will be sealed and placed into a leakage prevention bag and transportation pouch. All containers, bags, and pouches are pre-labeled with a unique client ID number. The samples will be placed inside the collection kit and readied for shipping to our lab for processing and cryogenic storage.

Yes. A maternal blood sample is required for standard FDA and AABB-mandated testing, including infectious disease screening. This ensures the safety and quality of the cord blood unit for future use.

Yes. Cord blood, cord tissue, and placenta collections are safe and painless for both mother and baby. It is now considered a common and routine procedure in many hospitals across the country.

Yes. Cord blood can be safely collected after a C-section just as it can during a vaginal birth. The procedure does not interfere with delivery and is safe for both mother and baby.

Yes. We use the 250ml blood Macropharma collection bag containing a CPD solution, additional rinsing bag with 8ml of CPD, and a second cord blood collection line. The CPD solution helps to preserve and nourish the cord blood while in transit to our lab. The bag is sterile for vaginal and C-Section deliveries. It uses a two, 12-gauge needle system. These wider needles allow for faster blood flow and reduces the possibility of clots. Having an additional needle allows for a second insertion to collect even more blood.

Yes. Cord blood, cord tissue, and placenta tissue collection is a very simple and common process. Easy to follow and detailed instructions are included in your collection kit. If your healthcare provider has any questions, we are available by phone 7 days a week to assist.

Yes, in most cases, cord blood collection can still be performed after delayed cord clamping. However, the volume collected may be reduced. If you plan to delay cord clamping, let your healthcare provider and AlphaCord know so the collection process can be coordinated properly.

Following the birth of your baby, the doctor or midwife will collect the samples and place them in your kit. Your kit will be shipped via Priority Overnight Service to our lab.

Yes, various tests will be completed on your baby’s cord blood and tissue to ensure it is viable and sterile. Potency will also be measured.

Wharton’s jelly and other stem cell rich tissues are isolated for cryopreservation. The components of the umbilical cord that do not contain stem cells are removed to prevent contamination. At AlphaCord we preserve the cord tissue as whole segments so that your family have access to all the different cells in the cord including cell types such as mesenchymal, endothelial, epithelial, neuronal, hematopoietic, and perivascular. Research is still in early stages for cord tissue, and by preserving the cord tissue whole, your family will have access to the most options science has to offer and the best available future technologies, as research advances.

No. Only cord blood, cord tissue, and placenta tissue are processed and stored in our cryogenic tanks.

Upon arrival, your baby’s stem cells will be processed and prepared for storage by our experienced lab technicians. Within 72 business hours of the pick-up, you will be notified by email that your samples arrived and were processed. About 6-8 weeks after processing, you will receive a Certificate of Storage. This will show your unique ID number and processing results.

Once your newborn’s stem cells arrive at the lab and initial testing has been completed, you will be updated by email. About 6-8 weeks after processing, you will receive a Certificate of Storage with a unique ID number for your baby’s unit for your records and sample reports. Our lab has full backup systems in case of a utility failure. Backup generators are available if an electrical outage occurs. The temperature and liquid nitrogen levels of every tank are regularly monitored, electronically and manually. Typically, our tanks can hold appropriate temperatures for several days before they require refilling.

We use the FDA approved industry standard, 2 chamber storage bag. Our bags hold 25mL’s (one 5mL chamber and one 20mL chamber) of cord blood stem cells. We also offer a 5 chamber storage bag option. To enroll with the 5 chamber storage bag, simply call us for more details or add it to your order online.

Newborn Stem Cells are stored at approximately -196°C (-316°F). Some of the oldest samples successfully engrafted were cryogenically stored for over 30 years. Scientific researchers believe that items suspended in a cryogenic state can remain viable in a cryogenic state indefinitely.

AlphaCord offers some of the most affordable pricing in the industry, starting as low as $81 per month with flexible payment plans. Costs depend on whether you choose to bank cord blood only or add cord tissue and placenta tissue. For full details, see our cord blood banking cost breakdown.

Call us! We will send you and the treating physician the necessary release forms. The physician may first request an aliquot (small test sample) to confirm viability and blood type matching, and to perform HLA testing. We will deliver the aliquot and the subsequent sample(s) to the medical center by overnight courier in a cryogenic shipper. Currently, we do not charge a retrieval fee for samples being used for life-saving medical treatments.

AlphaCord will ship your baby’s stem cells to an accredited medical treatment facility within the continental United States at no charge for samples being used for lifesaving medical treatments.

Currently, we do not charge a retrieval fee for samples being used for lifesaving medical treatments. AlphaCord will ship your baby’s stem cells to an accredited medical treatment facility within the continental United States at no charge for samples being used for medical treatments.

You will need to contact us and request an Account Termination Form. Once you complete the form and have it notarized, send it back to AlphaCord. AlphaCord charges an Account Termination Fee of $150 per account. For clients on an annual storage plan, submission of your “Account Termination Form” must be made prior to sixty (60) days of your renewal date to avoid the next year’s storage fee.

Kit can be returned for a full refund if returned within sixty (60) days prior to the due date. Overnight or expedited shipping of the kit is non-refundable. Kit must be unopened and un-tampered with. Clients must mail the kit in with packaging that will protect the integrity of the box and at their own expense.

You can order online via our website by following the "Order Now" link 24/7. If you would like to speak with a Cord Blood Expert over the phone, please give us a call at (480) 566-1344. A representative is available during business hours.

AlphaCord has been in business nearly 20 years and has processed and stored over 350,000 samples. We have a 100% success rate of providing viable cells for infusion and engraftment. Our mission is to provide the most affordable banking options, while maintaining the highest clinical and scientific standards.

AlphaCord has been in business since 2002. Each year, our operations have grown and been profitable. Business decisions are conservative and focus on limiting financial risk. We do this to ensure the long-term success of the company.

Yes.

It’s best to let both AlphaCord and your healthcare providers know of your intention to collect as early as possible. Informing your physician prior to collection permits time to prepare for your collection and ask questions if needed. Since many deliveries occur prior to your due date, we highly recommend you enroll at least 30 days prior to your anticipated due date; However, we can frequently accommodate last minute orders. Call us at (480) 566-1344 if you are at the hospital and need a kit.