Cord blood helps shape the future for this family

Over the years, we’ve heard many of the same thoughtful questions from Insception Lifebank parents. After the newborn stem cell preservation process is complete, families often wonder what happens next: how long the cells remain viable, who might be able to use them, and what to do if you need to use them. We’re addressing the most common questions parents have after preserving newborn stem cells, offering clear answers to help you feel confident, reassured, and informed about the years ahead.^†

1. Should I continue storing my child’s stem cells long-term?

Based on current data, newborn stem cells can be preserved indefinitely,¹ so your family may be able to use the cells for diseases and injuries that occur decades from now.

While no one can predict future illness or injury, it can be helpful to consider long-term storage of stem cells. One of the values of preserving stem cells at birth is that it’s an investment that could potentially grow in value over time. Why? Because researchers are continually exploring promising new ways to treat serious health conditions using cord blood stem cells.² In fact, many conditions under investigation in the field of regenerative medicine occur later in life such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.^2,3

When your child turns eighteen, they will have the opportunity to take over ownership and management of the account. We recommend waiting until your child is old enough to make the decision whether or not to keep their stem cells preserved.

2. Should I preserve newborn stem cells for every child?

Yes, it is recommended to save cord blood and cord tissue for each child, as it may provide more potential treatment options for your family. Each child’s cells are genetically unique. For treatment of genetic conditions with a stem cell transplant, a donor source of stem cells, such as a matched sibling, would likely be the first choice.⁴ Additionally, some experimental regenerative medicine treatments typically utilize cells from a child’s own cord blood or a matched sibling’s cord blood.⁵

3. Who can use my child’s stem cells?

Your baby is always a 100% match to their own newborn stem cells and may use them for certain treatments. Generally, first or second-degree relatives who are a suitable match may potentially be able to use these stem cells as well.

• Full siblings are the most likely to be compatible matches, with a 75% chance of being at least a partial genetic match.
• Parents will always be a partial match to their biological children.

The type of treatment being performed (stem cell transplant versus regenerative medicine treatment) will generally dictate whether someone can use their own cells versus requiring a donor source of cells.

4. What do I do if I need to use my baby’s newborn stem cells?

Should the need arise, Insception Lifebank will work with your physician to arrange confirmatory testing, release, and transportation of your baby’s stem cells to a designated hospital or treatment facility. The laboratory where Insception Lifebank’s samples are stored has facilitated hundreds of releases of cord blood units,⁶ and it typically occurs by the following steps:

• Your Newborn Stem Cell Educator will connect you with a Clinical Specialist who will help assess your specific case and get the process started.
• Next, a dedicated Insception Lifebank team will begin working with your physician and the treating medical facility to prepare, test, and safely release your cord blood units.
• Before sending the entire sample, a small portion will be sent to the treating physician for testing and to determine how much of the sample will be needed.
• Your cord blood units are then shipped safely and securely from our storage facility to the treatment facility.

5. What’s the difference between transplant and regenerative medicine? How do they relate to newborn stem cells?

Transplant medicine involves replacing damaged or diseased blood and immune system cells with healthy ones through a stem cell transplant. Cord blood has been used as a source of stem cells for a stem cell transplant for over 30 years.⁷ Stem cell transplants can currently help treat over 80 conditions, including blood disorders, immune and metabolic disorders, and certain cancers.⁸ Cord blood is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells that require less stringent genetic matching as compared to other sources of stem cells.⁹

Regenerative medicine is an emerging field, mostly comprised of experimental therapies, that focuses on repairing or regenerating damaged tissues and organs in the body. Over 500 clinical trials have been initiated to study cord blood and cord tissue in regenerative medicine for conditions including hypoplastic left heart, type 1 diabetes, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and hypoxic neurological injury.^5,10

Looking for more information? 

Visit Insception Lifebank’s FAQ page for answers to dozens of the most common questions parents have about newborn stem cell preservation.

Expecting a child, or have friends or family who are? How about a grandchild? Enroll  with Insception Lifebank today or refer a friend. When someone you refer preserves with Insception Lifebank, you’ll receive a cheque or storage credit to fund your storage fee.*