Personal stories about cord blood banking

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

Hank, 32: When we were expecting, we were swamped with promotions about cord blood banking. They said it was a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to do something that could save our child’s life. It made us feel guilty. Then the doctor told us the odds of our child needing his own cord blood were almost zero. So we decided banking the cord blood would not be a smart use of our money.

Sondra, 30: Our 2-year-old daughter has leukemia. She will need a stem cell transplant. We have contacted a cord blood bank and are going to have our newborn’s cord blood saved and, hopefully, used to save our toddler’s life.

Lee, 23: I know that the chances of my family needing my newborn’s cord blood are remote. But I am lucky, because the money is not a problem for me. I decided, "Why not?" Except for the money, I have nothing to lose by saving my baby’s cord blood.

Vashti, 35: I did not want to pay to save my baby's cord blood. But I was bothered by the thought of those good stem cells going to waste. So I contacted a public blood bank in my community, and they collected the cord blood so that someone else can use the stem cells in the future.

Theresa, 25: We have no family history of any blood disease and we have a healthy baby, but we didn't want to take any chances. We banked her cord blood as insurance. With all the research being done these days, science may find ways to cure more diseases with stem cells in the future.

Tuyen, 33: My son was 4 when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He almost died. But a stem cell transplant saved his life. We did not save his cord blood, but the doctors said that didn't matter because he needed stem cells from someone other than himself. I am so grateful to the woman who decided to donate her child's cord blood. She saved my son’s life.