This is one of my most favorite photos from when young William was born a few years ago. Lovingly held by his big sister, neither with a care in the world. At the time, although I knew that banking William’s cord blood was an option, it was very expensive and seemed like something we would never need. When Emily had been born six years earlier it was not even on my radar! Fast forward today, over five years later, and banking your newborn’s cord blood is becoming increasingly more popular and more accessible to families financially.
Insception Lifebank is Canada’s first family cord blood bank and since it’s launch in 1996 they have collected over 58,000 umbilical cord blood units. Insception Lifebank currently stores cord blood for a particular donor, to be used by that donor and possibly by a family member. The donor owns it and will always be able to access it. Just this past fall Canadian Blood Services launched the first national public cord blood storage program. The potential benefits of public cord blood banks are that these life saving stem cells become available to pretty much anyone who needs them. One drawback though is that the cord blood no longer belongs to the donor. Check out this great infographic to compare family cord blood banking versus public cord blood banking.
July is Cord Blood Awareness Month in Canada and it’s purpose is to encourage families to learn as much as they can about the benefits of banking their child’s cord blood. Insception Lifebank recognizes the potential of a public cord blood bank and fully supports the goal of Cord Blood Awareness Month. Visit their site to learn about their program and the costs involved. Read through the extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions and become informed about a decision that could very well save your child’s life.
FT&PD
Suz
Disclosure: I was compensated for this post. All thoughts and the photo of the two cutie patooties, belong to me. 🙂
This information will be invaluable to new parents, Suzanne. I did read it, but if it applied to me, I would read it again more closely. Wonderful options for young parents today.
It really is amazing the medical advances we have made. I can just imagine the number of illness that could be wiped out if all babies cord blood could be banked…
I had no idea that you could donate your cord blood. Why not, if you weren’t planning to bank it yourself? Great information here.
Thank you! It is pretty neat that the public banks will now be open. I hope they keep stats on how many lives are saved/changed because of this…
Cord Blood Storing or Donation wasn’t even an option when I had my children, bravo to medical science for this advancement
It is pretty incredible Darlene 🙂
Ive always wanted to do this, its like an insurance policy for your kids. Unfortunately, it wasn’t an option for us financially. Im hoping that we will be able to if we are blessed with another baby.
It is unfortunate that the cost is what it is Jaymi. The good thing is that even if you only have banked the blood from one child your other children would have protection as well. Hopefully the future will see the cost come down a bit..
I LOVE that there are more options available for families now. With my first 2 babies there was only private banking available. I am luck enough that for baby #3 I am delivering at a hospital that collects cord blood for the public bank. And we will be donating!
That’s awesome Kate, a very selfless thing to do <3
For parents to be this is wonderful info and if you can afford to so, but if they can not then by all means let it go to the Public Bank.
Very true, very true 🙂
I really never knew about this and glad to have read your article!
Great news!
Thanks for the great info on this
Thank you for reading Jennifer 🙂
This was some very important information, I’m going to share this with people who are new parents.
Awesome to hear, thank you!
It’s great to see how far we’ve come with this. When my little one was born there really weren’t any options at all. Science is amazing 🙂
It really is Shayna. I can just imagine the number of lives this will save..
This is great for families who value their healthy living together with children. Learning this matter with them, cause awareness when they grow up.
Very true!
This is a first never knew you could donate cord blood! Thanks for the info!
It’s pretty amazing, right?!
This will help new parents…. Thank you for sharing informative post with us.
Thank you for reading, I appreciate it 🙂
It’s nice to see that there are a lot of benefits with the blood from umbilical cord and that they were able to collect a lot for the bank.
Yes, it is wonderful for the future of our children!
this is my first time to hear cord blood storing… awesome post! learn a lot! thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading, I appreciate it!
I have heard a lot lately about cord blood banking. It was not available back when I was pregnant. I wish it had been, I would have taken advantage of it for the future health of my son or even would have donated. 🙂
I agree Betsy, I would have loved to be able to take advantage of it when mine were born…
I have never heard of this before, till now, it’s a great opportunity for the parents who wish to do this
It pretty incredible to have access to this..
i’ve heard of this medical breakthrough before but i never thought it was already this accessible today! 🙂 it’s a good option if you have money to spare, otherwise, i doubt many parents would just donate it publicly. >XD
I would like to think if they could not afford it they would donate publicly. You can always access the public bank if need be..
great info
Thanks!
What a fascinating subject. I’ve heard of cord blood banks but never had a moment to read it this way. Very informative.
Thank you!
I never heard about this but its a great oppurtunity for young parents ..i like it much
really worthfull article
Good Luck
Thank you!
I’ve only heard a little of this debate before Thanks for clarifying things
Thanks for reading it Suzie, it is so important 🙂