Common Questions

What is your refund policy?

Prior to the Cord Blood leaving the hospital, all payments you have made will be refunded except $49. Within 60 days after the lab has received and processed the blood all payments except $150 will be refunded.

How long can the blood be stored?

Cord Blood is stored at approximately -196°C. The field of Cord Blood preservation is relatively new. Samples that were 20 years old have been successfully transplanted. It is likely that samples will last 30 years or more.

Will the lab store other types of tissue or blood with my baby’s Cord Blood?

NO. Only Cord Blood is stored in the cryogenic tanks.

Are Alpha Cord affiliates accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), Foundation for the Accreditation of Hematopoietic Cell Therapy (FACT) and other organizations?

Please go to Compare Labs to view each lab’s accreditations, processing methods and other important data.

Is the company financially stable, and how long has it been in operation?

These are two of the most important questions to ask. All of Alpha Cord’s affiliated labs are financially stable and have long operating histories in the cryopreservation of blood and tissue.

How many transplants have they participated in?

Having performed several, successful transplants is a positive indicator that the lab's processing and storage is meeting the ultimate standard. The more a lab has accomplished, the more confident you can be that processing and storage are being done correctly. However, many labs are not as active as others in national transplant registries or programs. These labs are likely to be just as good though. Please go to Compare Labs to view the number of transplants each company has performed.

What is the likelihood that my child will get a disease that may be treated with stem cells?

This is a widely debated question. Detractors say it is 1 in 10,000. Proponents say that when you consider the actual list (a broader list) of diseases, it is about 1 in 400. Consider home fire insurance as an analogy. The odds of your home burning down are very slim, but every homeowner has fire insurance. Yet, this type of "life insurance" is even more important. You can rebuild a house but you cannot collect Cord Blood after the fact.

Will my blood and the Cord Blood be tested?

All American Association of Blood Bank, accredited labs will require maternal blood testing. This is to ensure that no viruses are present. All labs will run various tests on your baby's Cord Blood prior to storage. These ensure that only viable samples are being put into storage. Go to Compare Labs to see the tests performed by each lab.

What happens when the blood is collected?

After the doctor or midwife collects the unit, it is placed into the shipping container and sent to the lab you selected via our medical delivery service. Each kit contains specific instructions about the collection process, how to prepare the sample for delivery and how to arrange for pick-up at your bedside. Once it arrives at the lab, you will be notified. Finally, a staff member will update you on the unit’s progress until it is permanently stored. Once the unit is in storage, you will receive a Certificate of Storage, contact numbers and a unique ID number for your baby’s unit.

When should I decide?

Let us know as early as possible. It is best to make this decision before the 30th week of your pregnancy.

What additives are used to protect my child’s blood during storage?

A standard cryoproctectant is used to prevent the cells from becoming damaged. This is removed from the unit if it is ever needed for transplant.

What happens if I decide at the last minute or I have forgotten to bring the kit to the delivery room?

Our staff is prepared to assist. A kit can be rushed to you prior to the birth. Alternatively, supplies at the hospital can be used to create a suitable collection kit. Call us immediately and we will work with your health care professionals to assure the successful collection of your baby's Cord Blood.

What are the costs involved?

Your total cost will depend on the Lab and Storage options you select. Each option and its corresponding price is listed on the Alpha Cord Order Form which is included in the Registration Packet. Complete the order form to find out what your total cost will be. You can download your Registration Packet from our web site or call 1 - 866 - 396 - 7283 and one will be sent by mail.

What do I do if I need to retrieve my child's Cord Blood?

Call us immediately at 1-866-396-7283. We will send you and the treating physician release forms. We will then deliver the Cord Blood to the location specified on the form. This entire process should take 24-48 hours.