Viacord Vs Cord Blood Registry
Parents now have the option of storing a baby's cord blood for future medical use. While there are some programs for cord blood donation, ViaCord and the Cord Blood Registry both provide cord blood storage for private families at a cost. Both companies provide the same service, but vary in how they carry out the process.
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History and Location
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The ViaCord website explains that the company is centrally located in Cincinnati, Ohio, a spot chosen for its low incidence of natural disasters. ViaCord has been in business since 1993.
The Cord Blood Registry reports on its website that Tuscon, Arizona, was selected as its home for the same reason. The Parent's Guide to Cord Blood states that CBR stored it's first vial of cord blood---that of the founder's son---in 1992.
Function
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CBR and ViaCord are private blood banks for families wishing to store their baby's cord blood.
ViaCord explains that cryopreserved cord blood can be used to treat a variety of health conditions, including types of cancers, bone marrow failure syndromes, metabolic disorders, blood disorders and immunodeficiencies.
CBR explains that it is the only blood bank in the United States that offers storage for cord blood tissue. As of 2010, cord blood tissue is being researched and may be used in the future to treat conditions such as diabetes, liver damage, heart failure, multiple sclerosis, stroke, cartilage damage and bone fractures.
Collection
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ViaCord and CBR offer similar collection services. Both explain that after birth, cord blood is collected into a special storage bag, labeled and is then shipped to the processing and storage facility by way of a medical courier.
ViaCord explains that it uses a heparin-free, Food and Drug Administration-approved bag for cord blood collection. Heparin is an anticoagulant. The bag took over two years to develop and is designed to increase cord blood collection volume and decrease the risk of contamination.
CBR states that its FDA-approved bag contains dry heparin to help preserve cord blood during transportation. It notes that cord blood tissue is collected by cutting from the umbilical cord a sample of tissue 4 to 8 inches in length and placing it in the supplied container for transport.
Storage
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CBR and ViaCord keep cord blood cryogenically frozen in liquid nitrogen. CBR states that its facility is monitored 24 hours, 365 days a year and is overseen by a leader in the cord blood and stem cell banking field.
Storage at CBR is done at minus 196 degrees Celsius, which is minus 348.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
ViaCord explains that its cord blood is processed and stored in a closed facility to reduce the chance of contamination. Its storage tanks are kept at minus 170 degrees Celsius---minus 338 degree Fahrenheit---or below.
It is unknown how long cryopreserved cord blood will maintain it's composition, according to the CBR website. Cord blood removed after 15 years, however, still showed the same composition as when it was frozen, the website notes, adding that frozen cord blood likely may be successfully stored indefinitely.
Cost
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ViaCord's fee, as explained by its website, is $2,250 for the first year, including collection, courier shipment, and the first year of storage when paid in full. Payment plans are offered, but increase the price. Storage fees are $125 a year, and are guaranteed not to increase for 25 years. Options for paying for storage up front for 20 or 25 years are offered for a lower price.
The CBR website explains its two pricing options. The first is $2,195 for the first year, including collection, courier service and the first year of storage. The second option includes cord blood tissue and costs $2,915. If desired cord blood tissue alone may be stored. CBR offers a variety of payment plans to cover the first year's cost. Storage for cord blood is $125 a year; storage of cord blood and tissue is $250 a year. CBR offers several prepayment plans for storage as well.
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References
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