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Family Bank: Cordón de Vida

About

Cordón de Vida is a privately owned laboratory specialized in collecting, processing and cryogenically storing stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood and cord tissue that can later be used to treat a variety of diseases.  Their laboratory is located in Panamá City, Panamá. Cordón de Vida supports foundations and works closely with programs supporting the cord blood storage of siblings with cancer. Cordón de Vida also offers cord blood and cord tissue storage in the United States via their partnership with Cord Blood Registry.

Labs and Locations

Cordón de Vida opened the first and only cord blood bank in Panamá City, Panamá, which later became the first AABB accredited cord blood bank in Latin America in 2010.

Business Experience

Cordón de Vida has been closely working with California Cryobank for more than 15 years. Cordón de Vida started operations in 2003 as a partner of California Cryobank, exclusively sending cord blood samples to their laboratory in the United States.

In 2007 Cordón de Vida opened the first and only cord blood bank in Panamá City, Panamá, which later became the first AABB accredited cord blood bank in Latin America in 2010. Cordón de Vida also has marketing partnerships in other countries of Latin America.

Cordón de Vida has always thrived for the best quality for their customers, having high quality standards and processing the samples in a short time frame. Cordón de Vida and its partners are committed to educating the public on the benefits of adult stem cells, the laboratory is always on the forefront in providing clients with information on current and future potentials for the use of stem cells in medical treatments.

In 2018, California Cryobank merged with Cord Blood Registry, and the CBR laboratory in Tuscon USA is now the international partner of Cordón de Vida.

Collection Kit

Cordón de Vida features a collection kit that provides maximum stem cell protection:

  • Temperature stabilizers.
  • Reinforced case and protective inner tubes provide the ultimate protection against breakage.
  • FDA-approved blood collection bag kit.

Cordón de Vida utilizes Fenwal (previously known as Baxter) and the anticoagulant is Citrate Phosphate Dextrose (CPD).

Transportation container

Cordón de Vida kit includes an inner container specially designed with patented materials and gel packs to provide maximum thermal insulation.

The collection kit is validated to maintain room temperature under ISTA test conditions. Temperature monitoring device is used during outbound shipment for released samples.

Shipping Info

Shipping costs are covered as part of the Cordón de Vida contracts. The samples will be collected at the hospital of origin by Cordón de Vida employees and will be transported in containers with thermal insulation to our processing facility.

Cordón de Vida has strategic alliances with different couriers in order to process the sample as fast as possible.

Cordón de Vida provides services 24 hrs a day, 365 days of year.

Processing Method

Cordón de Vida used a closed system processing method, which separates stem cells from your child's blood collection with a "red blood cell reduction" procedure.

Cordón de Vida maintains a cord blood testing segment integrally attached to the main storage bag, which serves as quality control and ensures that the storage conditions are the same for the testing segment and the whole sample.

Components Stored

Parents are provided with a Laboratory Report that contains the following information:

  • Unique Unit Number (ID)
  • Date of processing
  • Pre-processing volume and TNC
  • Post-processing viability (7AAD), TNC, and CD34
  • Bacterial contamination 

Storage Method

Cordón de Vida storage is in 25 ml cryo-bags. Prior to final storage, each cryo-bag is placed in a second overwrap layer of plastic, which is hermetically sealed as an extra precaution against possible cross contamination. The cord blood units are stored in cryogenic nitrogen that creates a vapor-phase environment kept at minus 196 degrees Celsius.

Licensing & Accreditation

Cordón de Vida laboratory holds these certifications:

  • Certified by the Ministry of Health in Panamá
  • AABB Accredited
  • FDA Registered

Clinical Experience

Cordón de Vida has processed and stored over 7 thousand cord blood units. Our first therapeutic release went to Duke University in 2016 for a case of Cerebral Palsy.

Insurance

Cordón de Vida offers a $50,000 Engraftment Guarantee:

In the event that a client's cord blood, which was processed and stored by Cordón de Vida laboratory, is used for transplant and fails to engraft, we will pay the client $50,000.

Cordón de Vida Shipping Worldwide Guarantee:

In case the stem cells are needed for transplant to treat one of the diseases with approved protocols, Cordón de Vida covers the delivery of stem cells anywhere in the world. This insurance requires validation by the Medical Director. *

*Restrictions apply.

Community Service

Cordón de Vida supports foundations and works closely with programs supporting the cord blood storage of siblings with cancer.

Prices

Cordón de Vida total cost includes: Collection kit, courier, processing and storage fee.

  • No late enrollment fees.
  • 6, 12, 18 and 24-month interest free payment plans.
  • Discount for twins, triplets, and secondary pregnancies/repeat clients.
  • Discounts to our clients for family and friend referrals.
  • Discounts for prepaid storage of 6, 15 and 25 years, friend/client referrals
Phone:
Address: Punta Pacifica Hospital, Planta Baja Local 1, Panamá City, Panama