Dear Expectant Parents- Congratulations on considering stem cell banking for your baby & family’s future good health. Now that you’ve made up your mind, we’re sure you’re curious about the next steps. So, let’s sort it out for you. Firstly, you need to zero in on the right stem cell bank. And then, understand the steps to enrol.
So, let’s discuss these crucial details in this blog.
What Is Stem Cell Banking?
It’s a process that involves the collection and preservation of stem cells from your baby’s umbilical cord blood soon after delivery. These stem cells have a huge life-saving potential due to special abilities such as:
- Regenerative Property – It’s the ability to divide and increase their number into additional stem cells.
- Repairing Potential – They can turn into other cell types such as muscle, skin or blood cells. This helps repair and replace damaged cells while promoting overall health.
Benefits Of Preserving Stem Cells At Birth
- Treats Life-threatening Diseases – Cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells that can treat various medical conditions. It includes leukaemia, genetic disorders, and immune system diseases.
- Readily Available – Cord blood stem cells are collected at birth, tested and then preserved. Therefore, they’re readily available whenever required (in stem cell transplants or treatments). Moreover, there is a lower chance of contamination as they’re preserved as soon as the baby is born.
- Poses No Risk – Collecting stem cells from umbilical cord blood is easy, safe and poses no risk to the mother or baby.
- Procurement Process– It is easy to procure and process cord blood units for stem cell transplants.
- Risk Of Graft vs. Host Disease (GVHD) – One potential risk of stem cell transplantation is Graft vs. Host Disease. It’s a condition where the recipient’s body is attacked by the transplanted stem cells. And umbilical cord blood has a low risk of developing GVHD.
How To Enrol For Stem Cell Banking: 5 Simple Steps
Step 1: Research For A Reputable Stem Cell Bank
With so many options available, it’s essential to do your research and then pick the best stem cell bank to enrol with. Choose a bank with all the required accreditations, such as AABB, WHO, GMP, and NABL, and a strong track record of successful transplants.
LifeCell is the first stem cell bank that has AABB accreditation along with other certifications. Additionally, they have the highest number of stem cell units for transplantation worldwide.
Step 2: Take A Stem Cell Banking Presentation
Once you’ve shortlisted the stem cell bank, get in touch with them. They will ask about your basic medical details about the pregnancy, any complications (if any), and the expected date of delivery. Going further, they will guide you through the overall process.
You can also talk about the prices of different storage plans for stem cell banking (if they offer one). Some banks have annual or one-time payment options. Annual plans usually involve smaller, recurring payments made each year, making them easier to handle within a budget. On the other hand, a one-time payment option allows you to pay upfront for several years or even for a lifetime of storage.
Having said that, LifeCell provides a variety of storage plans including annual, 21-year, and 75-years. You can choose any of their storage plans, depending on how long you want to store your baby’s stem cells.
Step 3: Enrol Online/Offline
Now when you are ready to register with the stem cell bank, simply visit their website, fill out the application form and make the initial payment in advance. You can also get in touch with one of the representatives to help you enrol for your chosen storage plan.
Step 4: Collect Your Cord Blood Collection Kit
Once you sign up, order the collection kit. It will be sent to the address you gave within a few days. On the delivery day, remember to take this kit with you. It has everything needed for the safe and clean collection of your baby’s cord blood right after birth.
Step 5: The Final Procedure
After your baby is born, they will collect the stem cells and safely send them to the lab for processing and freezing. If there is a medical emergency that requires stem cell therapy, you will be able to easily access the preserved cord blood sample.
At LifeCell, you will receive a summary of your online storage and related reports. You can view this information on your individual dashboard, which will be ready in 15 days.
Conclusion
Your child’s future health is precious – and stem cell banking can help protect it. LifeCell has over 20 years of experience and offers reliable services. They provide financial support up to Rs. 1.6 crore and have a 97% match rate for Indian patients. You also gain access to more than 75,000 cord blood units. LifeCell follows international standards and uses advanced storage methods, ensuring that your baby’s stem cells stay viable for many years. By following their simple enrollment process, parents can confidently protect their child’s future with LifeCell’s trusted services.
