Financial aid for cord blood banking

If you are considering cord blood storage, and you have a close relative with a condition treated by stem cells, you may qualify for a charity program. These programs are run through individual banks, since the government doesn’t currently fund any cord blood programs. Banks will pay for the processing, shipment and storage fees themselves, using donations from partnering charity organizations.

These charity programs – also called a “case of medical need” – require you to provide doctor-approved documents showing an immediate relative of your baby has a medical condition treated by cord blood therapy. Public banks only offer help to siblings, while private banks may offer free banking to both parents and siblings.

Private banks

Cord Blood Registry
Program name – Newborn Possibilities
Eligible Family – Sibling or biological parent
Covers – Transplants and clinical trials
Over 5,000 children have received free cord blood banking through this program

FamilyCord
Program name – Immediate Need Transplant Program
Eligible Family – Sibling or biological parent
Covers – Transplants

ViaCord
Program Name – Sibling Connection
Eligible Family – Siblings
Covers – Transplants

Xytex
Program Name – Cord Trust Program
Eligible Family – Siblings
Covers – Transplants and clinical trials

While the processing fees are always covered, some banks will charge an annual storage fee. Check with your specific bank for their individual programs.

Public banks

Carolinas Cord Blood Bank
Eligible Family – Siblings
Covers – Transplants

CORD:USE
Eligible Family – Siblings
Covers – Transplants

Lifeforce Cryobanks
Eligible Family – Siblings
Covers – Transplants

M.D. Anderson Cord Blood Bank
Eligible Family – Siblings
Covers – Transplants

Puget Sound Blood Center
Eligible Family – Siblings
Covers – Transplants

StemCyte
Eligible Family – Siblings
Covers – Transplants

Texas Cord Blood Bank
Eligible Family – Siblings
Covers – Transplants

High-risk programs

Americord Registry
Babies with acquired neurological conditions – including cerebral palsy – are fully reimbursed for all banking costs if they participate in a clinical trial.

Carolina Cord Blood Bank
Babies with certain conditions – such as hydrocephalus – may receive banking through Duke Medical Center.

Cord Blood Registry – Newborn Possibilities
Babies with a high risk for neurological disease, and infants diagnosed with a prenatal condition, may receive banking and five years of storage free.

Miracle Babies – In partnership with ViaCord
Babies born before 34 weeks at the Sharp Mary Birth Hospital for Women & Newborns may receive free storage for both umbilical cord blood and cord tissue.