Australia's Largest And Most Experienced Cord Blood and Tissue Bank
Cord blood and tissue storage is a personal decision. This Cord Blood Awareness Month, we’re sharing why Cell Care families chose to store their baby’s stem cells — in their own words.
For many parents, the decision comes down to peace of mind, future possibilities and knowing they explored their options before birth.
Real families. Real reasons.
One chance to store.
Why families choose to store
To support and help my children as much as I can - if they would ever need medical treatment in the future and stem cells could potentially be helpful."
— Arta R, WA
Many parents only hear about cord blood storage late in pregnancy, or not at all.
Cord blood and tissue can only be collected at birth, after the baby is born and the cord has been clamped and cut.
chance to collect
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WHY AWARENESS MATTERS
Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth. It contains stem cells that may be used in established medical treatments, including certain blood cancers, blood disorders, immune disorders and metabolic conditions.1
What Cell Care families told us
CLIENT FEEDBACK
When families choose to store their baby’s cord blood and tissue, their reasons are often deeply personal. Across client feedback, a few common themes come through.
For many parents, storing cord blood and tissue is about knowing they have taken an extra step for their family’s future.
PEACE OF MIND
“It gave us peace of mind.”
“Peace of mind and security. The thought of needing the stem cells and not having them when the option is available to us.”
Cord blood and tissue collection can only happen at birth, which makes timing an important part of the decision.
ONE CHANCE TO COLLECT
“We didn’t want to miss the opportunity.”
“It’s known that stem cells and cord blood have been used as a treatment for over 80 illnesses, and it’s a once-in-a-life opportunity.”
Some families choose to store because of current medical uses, while others want to preserve options for the future.
FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
“We wanted to keep future options open.”
“Research, advancement in medical science and technology, future possibilities and ease of mind just in case.”
Your baby’s cord blood stem cells are a perfect match for your child and may potentially be used by siblings too.
FAMILY CONSIDERATIONS
“It felt like an investment in our family.”
“Better to be safe than sorry. We decided to have it stored in case my baby or his sister ever need to use it.”
CORD BLOOD BY THE NUMBERS
Thousands of families. One important choice.
Behind every storage is a family with their own reasons for choosing to store.
Families of more than 50,000 Australian babies have chosen Cell Care to store their baby’s cord blood and tissue.
50,000+
Australian babies2
Cord blood has been used in transplant medicine over 45,000 times worldwide.
45,000+
Transplants worldwide3
Worldwide, cord blood has been used in the treatment of more than 80 conditions.
80+
Conditions treated1
Cord blood and tissue can only be collected at birth.
1
chance to collect
What can cord blood be used for?
CURRENT USE AND RESEARCH
Cord blood stem cell transplants are used as an alternative to bone marrow transplants for life-threatening conditions such as blood cancers, immune disorders and metabolic disorders.1
Research is also continuing into potential future uses of cord blood stem cells. These areas remain under investigation and are not guaranteed future treatments.
Clinical research is exploring the potential use of cord blood cells in areas such as cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury and other conditions.4
Established uses today
Research for tomorrow
- Leukaemias
- Lymphomas
- Blood disorders
- Immune disorders
- Metabolic disorders
THE PROCESS
How storing with Cell Care works
Cell Care makes cord blood and tissue storage simple, from enrolment through to long-term storage.
Cell Care offers complete online enrolment. It’s a simple process that must be completed before your baby arrives.
Enrol
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Cell Care will courier a personalised collection kit to your home. Take the kit with you to hospital for cord blood & tissue collection at birth.
Collect
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Once received at the Cell Care laboratory, your baby’s cord blood and tissue are processed and stored, ready for potential future use.
Store
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One chance at birth. A lifetime of potential.
MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE
Cord blood and tissue storage is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This Cord Blood Awareness Month, take a few minutes to understand your options and make an informed decision about storing your baby's cord blood.
“The knowledge that this can only be collected at birth for potential treatment should he ever require it."
— Kate W, WA
“Hopefully my family never has to use it, but it’s great peace of mind knowing that we have it for the future if it is required.”
— Megan O, VIC
The use of cord blood is determined by the treating physician and is influenced by many factors, including the patient's medical condition, the characteristics of the sample, and whether the cord blood should come from the patient or an appropriately matched donor. Cord blood has established uses in transplant medicine; however, its use in regenerative medicine is still being researched. There is no guarantee that potential medical applications being studied in the laboratory or clinical trials will become available.
Cord tissue use is still in early research stages, and there is no guarantee that treatments using cord tissue will be available in the future. Cord tissue is stored whole. Additional processing prior to use will be required to extract and prepare any of the multiple cell types from cryopreserved cord tissue.
*Family stories depict the family's personal experiences and are not necessarily representative of other's experiences and cannot predict outcomes for others. Cell Care cannot and does not guarantee specific results. Your doctor or other healthcare providers should be consulted about your particular situation.
1. Mayani, H., Wagner, J.E. & Broxmeyer, H.E. Cord blood research, banking, and transplantation: achievements, challenges, and perspectives. Bone Marrow Transplant 55, 48–61 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-019-0546-9. 2. Data on file. 3. Wagner JE. Cord blood 2.0: state of the art and future directions in transplant medicine. Blood Res. 2019 Mar;54(1):7-9. doi: 10.5045/br.2019.54.1.7. Epub 2019 Mar 21. PMID: 30956957; PMCID: PMC6439299 4. Sun J.M., Kurtzberg J. (2017) Cord Blood Therapies for Genetic and Acquired Brain Injuries. In: Horwitz M., Chao N. (eds) Cord Blood Transplantations. Advances and Controversies in Hematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53628-6_13
