Cord Blood Registry

About

CBR was the world's first family cord blood bank, started in 1992. CBR today is the world's largest cord blood bank, either private or public, with an inventory over 400,000. CBR is the only large cord blood bank that continues to be privately owned by the original founders.

Labs and Locations

Cord Blood Registry is headquartered in San Bruno, California, CBR owns and operates its laboratory and storage facility, located in Tucson, Arizona. CBR chose the location for the lab given the safety and logistical benefits. Historically, Tucson is free from natural disasters and transportation delays due to weather, which could disrupt the delivery and long-term storage of samples. Proximity to the Tucson International Airport, just a few miles away, ensures timely delivery of samples regardless of weather conditions.

Business Experience

CBR is the world’s largest stem cell bank.
CBR’s laboratory was established in 1992, and originally began as a pilot program sponsored in part by the American Cancer Society. Today, it is one of the largest and most modern laboratory facilities dedicated and designed exclusively for cord blood stem cell processing and storage and cord tissue preservation.
CBR is the most experienced family cord blood bank. CBR has processed and stored more stem cells than any other bank in the world, released more samples for medical use than any other family bank, and pioneered cord tissue preservation in the U.S.
CBR is the preferred choice of Ob/Gyns, according to a 2007 blind survey funded by CBR.
CBR is the #1 choice of expecting parents and has maintained a 99% customer satisfaction score for eight years running.
The company has consistently led the industry in technical innovations and is committed to advancing therapeutic research using cord blood stem cells. CBR is the exclusive research partner for three ground-breaking FDA-regulated clinical trials.
CBR Cord Blood Education Specialists are available to answer all consumer questions. They are reachable toll free at: 1-888-932-6568 7 days a week (Monday - Friday 6 AM - 9 PM PST and Saturday - Sunday 6 AM - 4 PM PST). In addition, consumers may request a scheduled call with an Education Specialist at a convenient time. A 24-hour emergency hotline is available to clients.

Collection Kit

CBR was the first family bank to introduce sterile collection bags and syringes, which can be used after a vaginal birth or C-section.
Today, CBR provides physicians with a state-of-the art collection kit with an active flow chamber to give healthcare providers visual feedback as the cord blood flows to the collection bag helping to provide optimal collection results.
Having more cells for treatment has been shown to improve medical outcomes. That’s why CBR developed CellAdvantage®, the best collection and processing system in the industry.
To recover the maximum number of stem cells, CBR’s proprietary collection kit contains a dry anti-coagulant, which ensures physicians get an accurate visual feedback of collection volume. CBR’s specially designed collection device also incorporates an active flow chamber that helps the physician better visualize the collection and dislodge any clots or tissue plugs.
The new collection kit introduced in 2010 also contains tools necessary for the preservation of cord tissue, which contains stem cells that are different from the primary type found in cord blood and may help heal the body in different ways. CBR provides clients with access to the full potential of cord tissue with minimal manipulation. CBR’s cryopreservation method of cord tissue collection is free from chemicals and compounds that are used to break cells apart, encourage cell growth, or select for a particular type of cell.

Transportation Container

CBR collection kits have been designed to shield the samples from extreme temperatures (shielding for more than 1 hour at extreme hot and cold). Samples remain at room temperature and are shipped directly to the CBR lab for processing.

Shipping Info:

CBR's One-Step Shipping^SM service prearranges a courier service to pick up the kit from the client’s hospital room.
Following the collection, the labor and delivery staff will return the collection kit to a designated family member who will call to have a courier pick up the kit from the client’s hospital room. The collection kit is pre-labeled and folds into a crush-resistant cube.
CBR’s unique tracking technology ensures the kit is tracked from the time it leaves the mother’s bedside to its arrival at the lab.
A unique ID follows the paperwork, kit and sample from the moment of enrollment until the time the unit is placed in the cryogenic vault.
Real-time tracking to our lab in Tucson, Arizona allows CBR to monitor each shipment to ensure fast delivery, which is important for maximum cell viability.
When the cord blood kit arrives in Tucson, a medical courier meets the plane and brings the kit directly to the CBR lab, which is located just a few miles from the airport.
Upon arrival at the lab, each kit’s contents are scanned to match them with the client, whose information is already in the system. This database match triggers an email to the mother, letting her know that the cord blood collection has reached CBR safely. This is part of CBR’s electronic chain of custody, which continues until the day that the cord blood unit is released for use.
CBR uses a next-flight-out courier service and operates expanded lab hours—20 hours a day, 365 days a year to accelerate the pace of processing through our lab to storage.
CBR serves clients in more than 82 countries around the world. International couriers are available to provide customs clearance and provide delivery to our laboratory within 36 hours of collection. International shipping fees will vary.

Processing Method

More cells can make a difference in medical use. That’s why CBR developed CellAdvantage®, a proprietary system combining several unique technologies based on lean manufacturing principles to ensure the highest reported stem cell recovery rates in the industry – 99%, which is 20% more than the methods used by other family banks.

The CellAdvantage system encompasses several innovative cord blood collection, processing and storage methods, including sterile collection kits; processing samples with the AutoXpress™ Platform (AXP), the only FDA-cleared automatic cord blood processing system that can process any collection, regardless of volume; and seamless cryobags that allow cord blood to be stored in multiple units for multiple use. One hundred percent of the samples released by the company have been viable for transplant.

Components Stored

AutoXpress™ Platform (AXP) cord blood processing results in a red-cell reduced stem cell product. Each sample is stored in a cryobag consisting of two compartments (one major and one minor) and two integrally attached segments used for unit testing. At time of storage, the client is provided with a certificate (via their online account) that indicates the total viable nucleated cell count for their child’s sample.

Storage Method

Unlike other banks, CBR uses a seamless cryobag for storage. The seamless construction decreases the potential for breakage that can occur in traditional, seamed-plastic storage bags.
Prior to storage, each cryobag is placed in a second overwrap layer of plastic, which is hermetically sealed as an extra precaution against possible cross contamination by current and yet unidentified pathogens that may be discovered in the future.
CBR stores the stem cells in vaults, called dewars, specially designed for long-term cryostorage.
The cord blood units are suspended above a pool of liquid nitrogen that creates a vapor-phase environment kept at minus 196 degrees Celsius. This keeps the units as cold as liquid nitrogen without immersing them in liquid, which can enable cross-contamination.
Cryopreserved cord blood stem cells have proven viable after more than 20 years of storage, and research suggests they should remain viable indefinitely.

Licensing & Accreditation

CBR was the first family bank accredited by AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) and the company’s quality standards have been recognized through ISO 9001:2008 certification—the global business standard for quality.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has issued cord blood regulations, and the states of California, Illinois, Maryland, New York and New Jersey have mandatory licensing for cord blood banking. The stringent laboratory processes, record keeping, quality control and quality assurance of CBR are designed to meet all federal and state guidelines and regulations.

Clinical Experience

CBR’s research and development efforts are focused on helping the world’s leading clinical researchers advance regenerative medical therapies.
CBR is partnering with a growing number of clinical researchers focusing on the use of a child’s own cord blood stem cells to help treat conditions and injuries with limited treatment options today. To ensure consistency in cord blood stem cell processing, storage and release for infusion, CBR has been named the exclusive research partner for 3 groundbreaking FDA-regulated clinical trials: 1. A study at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), together with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, is investigating the use of cord blood stem cells to treat pediatric traumatic brain injury. 2. A study at Georgia Health Sciences University is researching the potential of cord blood stem cells for patients with cerebral palsy. 3. A study at Memorial Hermann Health System, together with U. of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is investigating the use of cord blood to treat acquired hearing loss.
CBR clients have also participated or are currently participating in trials examining the use of children’s own cord blood at the University of Florida (type 1 diabetes) and Duke University (hypoxia and cerebral palsy).
CBR has released more than 200 of their own collections for family use as of March 2012, more than any other family cord blood bank.

Guarantees

Once a family has elected to become a client of CBR, if their sample arrives and we are not able to process more than 100 million stem cells, our medical director will contact the family and they have the option not to continue storage.

We also offer a $50,000 Quality Service Guarantee. If you need to use the cord blood stem cells stored with CBR for transplantation and the cells fail to engraft, you will receive a refund of all fees paid to CBR plus an additional $50,000.

Community Service

CBR's Newborn Possibilities Program provides free access to genetically related donor stem cells to those families who qualify for the Designated Treatment Protocol.

Over 3,500 patients have participated in our Newborn Possibilities Program, which offers free collection, processing, and five years of storage. Families residing in the United States who meet the following criteria may apply: A first-degree family member (a full sibling or biological parent of the newborn baby) has been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease (active disease or recent remission) currently treatable with donor stem cell transplant. An oncologist or attending physician must agree that stem cells may be used for treatment. If you believe you are eligible and would like to be considered for free cord blood and tissue banking under our Newborn Possibilities Program, contact a Cord Blood Education Specialist today at 1-888-932-6568.

Prices

Banking with CBR gives your family access to the best technology, exceptional support and the right payment plan for your budget. With us, you never have to sacrifice quality or service for price. Instead you gain a partner committed to helping your prepare for your family's healthy future.

Cost should not be a barrier for expectant parents who wish to preserve their child’s cord blood. CBR has built a pricing calculator that allows clients to customize a payment plan to fit their budget. CBR offers more payment options than any other bank, including:

Payment Plans

CBR offers a variety of payment plans to help families pay for cord blood banking over time. Six-month, one-year, three-year and four-year payment plans for the initial fee may bring monthly payments to as little as $61. Families can save $400 by prepaying the first 18 years of storage up-front. More details about payment plan otions who wish to pay in full can save $400 by prepaying the first 18 years of storage up-front.

CBR Gift Registry

CBR's gift registry allows expectant parents to invite friends and family to contribute toward the total cost of cord blood and tissue banking for their child. Expectant parents may establish the registry through CBR’s website, and friends and family can contribute online or via phone. More details about the CBR gift registry are available here.

Repeat Families and Multiple Births

CBR offers a $400 savings on the total cost of banking to families who have already banked cord blood for one of their children. For families welcoming the birth of multiples (twins, triplets, or more) CBR offers families a $1,000 savings in banking costs for each child after the first.

International Clients

We proudly serve more than 80 countries around the world and partner with couriers to provide customs clearance and delivery to our laboratory. Visit our international pricing options for more information based on where you live.

Collection Fee Reimbursement

Similar to other healthcare services, such as circumcision, your provider may charge a fee to collect your newborn's cord blood. Please check with your insurance carrier to see if they cover this fee.

Prices subject to change. Fees apply to single-birth, U.S. customers only. Cancellation fees may apply. All major credit cards accepted.

1. Includes $150 for shipping with CBR’s One-Step Shipping.^SMYou will not be billed for shipping if you choose an alternate method. 2. After the first-year fees, an annual storage charge of $125 (for each service) maintains your account. 3. Cord tissue banking is $595 when you also bank cord blood. Banking cord tissue only is $1,095 plus shipping and the first year of storage. 4. Medical treatments using family banked cord tissue are in early research and are not available today; there is no guarantee that therapies will be developed in the future. 5. Cord tissue banking is $595 when you also bank cord blood. Banking cord tissue only is $1,095 plus $150 shipping and $125 for the first year of storage

Additional Services

In March 2010, CBR became the first U.S. bank to offer cord tissue banking to families. Cord tissue banking allows families to collect and preserve a segment of the umbilical cord, which is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a type of stem cell that assists in building bone, cartilage and connective tissue as well as mediating the body’s inflammatory response to damaged or injured cells.

Cord Tissue Collection Preserves Greater Diversity of Stem Cells

The science around cord tissue is a young and rapidly evolving field. Researchers are continuing to discover unique cell types within the cord and are investigating the use of specific types of stem cells for specific applications. Each of these cell types represents a potentially unique therapeutic product. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an increasing focus of regenerative medicine research, with more than 80 clinical trials currently underway in the U.S. looking primarily at bone marrow and increasingly at cord blood stem cells. Because umbilical cord tissue has significantly more MSCs than the cord blood, CBR has developed a technology to successfully preserve umbilical cord tissue, so that the newborn MSCs contained in the tissue can be later processed for medical application.

CBR’s Preservation Techniques

During the development of CBR’s ground-breaking cord tissue program, CBR selected a cryopreservation method that involves minimal manipulation of the unit and preserves the full variety of cells present in the umbilical cord.
Researchers are still working to determine the best method for extracting and growing stem cells from cord tissue and we believe that processing and selecting which cells to preserve, limits the potential future use of the cord to what is currently known about cord tissue.
With CBR’s approach, if a client needs their cord tissue stem cells in the future, they will be able to draw from the best and most current technology at that time rather than being limited to only what is available today.

About Mesenchymal Stem Cells

MSCs are currently being researched for use in treating a wide range of conditions including heart disease, stroke, bone disease and injury, and autoimmune diseases (like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis). MSCs are needed for building connective tissue, so another potential treatment application may be for common joint and sports injuries.

This population of stem cells is a preferred source for current research in regenerative medicine because these cells have demonstrated the ability to develop into all of the major cell types in the body and help heal injured tissue. Collecting both types of newborn stem cells will provide an individual a more diverse cellular resource for potential future use as medical research in regenerative therapies using stem cells advances.

Prices with Additional Services

See the section on Pricing for more information about the price of cord blood and cord tissue storage combined.