The Future of Medicine: Why Lifetime Storage Makes Sense Now More Than Ever

Newborn stem cell banking has made significant strides, offering parents an invaluable opportunity to secure their child’s health and well-being from the very beginning. But what happens if your stem cell storage plan expires before your family can take advantage of the next major stem cell breakthrough?

As medical advancements continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, it’s important that your access to your baby’s stem cells remains open. Let’s dive into the evolution of stem cell banking and why lifetime storage is the right option for your family.

The concept of cord blood banking emerged in the 1980s. Expecting families quickly recognized the benefit of privately banking their child’s cord blood and perinatal tissues. Today, about 3% of families bank their baby’s stem cells. With an average 3.75 million births per year, that’s over 100,000 cord blood collections each year in the United States.

Cord blood banking involves collecting and preserving the leftover blood from the umbilical cord immediately after a baby’s birth. It contains a rich source of stem cells. These stem cells have the unique ability to differentiate into various cell types, making them valuable for regenerative medicine and potential treatments.

In recent years, banks have begun to offer cord tissue and placental tissue banking as an additional source of healing stem cells. While still in clinical trials, both cord and placental tissue are being studied as a treatment for a variety of different conditions, diseases, surgical applications, and more.

Newborn stem cells have diverse applications in medical treatments. They can be utilized in the treatment of various blood disorders, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and anemia, where stem cell transplants help replenish healthy blood cells and rebuild the immune system. Stem cells are being explored in regenerative medicine for conditions like spinal cord injuries, heart diseases, and autoimmune disorders, with the potential to restore damaged tissues and organs.

Clinical trials and research studies are actively investigating the use of newborn stem cells in neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, and traumatic brain injuries. These trials aim to understand the therapeutic potential of stem cells in promoting neural regeneration, improving motor functions, and enhancing overall quality of life for affected individuals.

The future of newborn stem cell treatments holds immense promise. Ongoing clinical trials are exploring novel applications and expanding the horizon of possibilities. Researchers are investigating the use of stem cells in areas such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and even cancer immunotherapy. The versatility of newborn stem cells, coupled with advances in genetic engineering and tissue engineering, opens doors to personalized therapies tailored to each individual’s specific needs.

The limitations of a 20-year storage plan become evident when considering the long-term potential of newborn stem cells. Medical advancements continue to accelerate at an unprecedented pace. With a standard 20-year storage plan, there is a risk that your time may run out before breakthrough treatments become available or before the child reaches adulthood when they might need them the most.

In contrast, lifetime storage eliminates the limitations imposed by a 20-year storage duration. Parents ensure the preservation of their child’s cord blood and tissue samples for 78 years, unlocking the full potential of stem cell treatments as medical science advances. Lifetime storage provides peace of mind, knowing that the stem cells will be available whenever needed, offering an extended window of opportunity for potential treatments and therapies.

Let’s break down some of the most common limitations of 20-year storage.

Medical research is an ever-evolving field, with breakthroughs and advancements occurring at a rapid pace. By limiting the storage duration to 20 years, parents may miss out on future discoveries and therapies that could significantly impact their child’s health.

Certain conditions and diseases may require ongoing or long-term treatments. With a 20-year storage plan, the samples may expire before the child reaches adulthood, potentially limiting their treatment options.

The preservation of cord blood and tissue samples goes beyond the immediate benefits. It also contributes to understanding and managing the family’s health history. As genetic conditions and hereditary diseases become better understood, having access to preserved samples becomes increasingly valuable.

Stem cells have the potential to revolutionize personalized therapies and regenerative medicine. As research progresses, innovative treatments tailored to an individual’s specific needs are expected to become more commonplace.

The longevity of banked stem cells aligns with the ever-evolving landscape of medical advancements. By opting for lifetime storage, families create opportunities for multiple family members to benefit from a single investment. Siblings, parents, grandparents, and even future generations can potentially access the preserved stem cells, expanding the possibilities for treatment and life-saving capabilities.

The lifetime storage option aligns with the vision of a future where personalized medicine and regenerative therapies become the norm. It ensures that cord blood and tissue samples remain available indefinitely, unlocking the potential for breakthroughs in treatment options and enabling the child to benefit from emerging medical advancements throughout their lifetime.

Take the next step in securing your child’s future by purchasing or upgrading to Americord’s lifetime storage plan. Americord’s lifetime storage plan provides parents with peace of mind, knowing that their child’s stem cells are protected for the long term. It eliminates the need to worry about storage expirations, ensuring that the preserved samples are accessible whenever required.

It’s an investment that offers peace of mind, expands treatment options, and provides opportunities for breakthroughs in regenerative medicine. Make the wise decision today and give your child the best possible chance for a healthy and thriving life.

If you are pregnant and are looking for more information about newborn stem cell banking, give one of our Stem Cell Specialists a call (866-503-6005) today!

References

• Bioformant. (n.d.). What Percentage of U.S. Parents Store Cord Blood Publicly and Privately? 
• National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Stem Cells Applications in Regenerative Medicine and Disease Therapeutics. 
• Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Stem cells: What they are and what they do.
• Ballen KK, Gluckman E, Broxmeyer HE. Umbilical cord blood transplantation: the first 25 years and beyond. Blood. 2013;122(4):491-498. doi:10.1182/blood-2013-02-453175
• Sugimura R, Jha DK, Han A, et al. Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from human pluripotent stem cells. Nature. 2017;545(7655):432-438. doi:10.1038/nature22370
• Takahashi K, Yamanaka S. Induction of pluripotent stem cells from mouse embryonic and adult fibroblast cultures by defined factors. Cell. 2006;126(4):663-676. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2006.07.024
• Broxmeyer HE. Cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Exp Hematol. 2003;31(7):639-647. doi:10.1016/s0301-472x(03)00155-5
• Harris DT. Cord blood stem cells: a review of potential neurological applications. Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2008;4(4):269-274. doi:10.1007/s12015-008-9024-4
• American Academy of Pediatrics. Cord Blood Banking for Potential Future Transplantation: Subject Review. Pediatrics. 2007;119(1):165-170. doi:10.1542/peds.2006-2901

Disclaimer

Americord acknowledges that exosomes are not FDA-approved for use in treatments or products. Americord does not claim exosomes have any current therapeutic benefit. The client understands that they bank their child’s exosomes for use in clinical trials and research which may provide utility in the future. Exosome banking is not available to California residents.

The views, statements, and pricing expressed are deemed reliable as of the published date. Articles may not reflect current pricing, offerings, or recent innovations.