Stem cells are the building blocks of blood and the immune system. They can transform into other types of cells and have the ability to replenish themselves as needed. Additionally, stem cells can replace other blood cells in the body that are abnormal or have been destroyed by disease. The stem cells found in the placenta and the cord blood (called hematopoietic or blood-forming stem cells) can develop into red blood cells (which carry oxygen), white blood cells (immune cells that fight infections), and platelets (which clot blood and prevent hemorrhaging).

Cord blood banking enables parents to save the lifesaving stem cells found in the blood of their newborn's umbilical cord. The preservation of these stem cells provides families the benefit of having potentially lifesaving cells available for existing or future medical treatments. In fact, potentially life-improving and lifesaving treatments using cord blood stem cells have been successfully performed in more than 10,000 patients for some 80 known diseases. When it comes to cord blood banking, LifebankUSA^® units are, on average, 99% pure or free of red blood cells. If a cord blood bank's processing method resulted in a high percentage of red blood cells remaining in the final cord blood unit, complications could occur if administered to your baby. ^{7,11,12,13,14,15}

To bank the most stem cells possible. LifebankUSA is the first company that collects and stores stem cells from two sources that help sustain your baby's life during pregnancy -the placenta and the cord blood. It's called Placenta-Cord banking.

Placenta-Cord Banking can provide you with the most stem cells possible by collecting not only the cord blood, but also a second unit of stem cells from the placenta. Stem cells from the placenta are derived from a safe and almost unlimited source. Research has shown that treating debilitating and life-threatening diseases with more stem cells significantly improved treatment success and patient survival. By banking stem cells from both the placenta and the cord blood, you are substantially increasing the number of stem cells banked.

Yes. The process is noninvasive, performed by your own health care provider, and only takes about 5 minutes. After your baby has been born and the umbilical cord cut, the blood from the cord is collected. For placenta-derived stem cells, the placenta is simply placed into a special bag in the delivery room. The entire collection kit is then transported a short distance from the hospital to LifebankUSA, where it is processed and the stem cells are stored. It's that simple.

So far, stem cells have been used to treat some 80 known diseases. These include leukemia and immune system disorders. Exciting research is under way to find future medical uses. Alzheimer's disease, cancer, heart disease, cartilage damage, diabetes, Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injury are all being studied. So the stem cells you store today may have even greater potential tomorrow.

Stem cells can be used to treat children and adults who have certain life-threatening illnesses. And they also increase the probability of a suitable match for other family members. Once collected and stored, these cells provide your baby with an exact match for a potential stem cell transplant. They also carry a strong chance of a suitable match for other family members.

LifebankUSA is the world's first cord blood bank to enable families to collect and preserve lifesaving cells from both the placenta and the cord blood (Placenta-Cord banking), which when transplanted can rebuild blood and the immune system, including red blood cells (which carry oxygen), white blood cells (immune cells that fight infections), and platelets (which clot blood and prevent hemorrhaging).

The causes of many cancers and diseases are unknown. And family history is not always an accurate or dependable predictor of cancer risk.

Parents should consider banking stem cells from cord blood and the placenta for the entire biological family-regardless of family history-because:

• The most common type of cancer in children and adolescents is leukemia, and most often occurs with no prior family history.
• Stem cell research is progressing in a number of therapeutic areas, such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and many other non-cancer diseases.

There is no evidence that cryogenically preserved stem cells have an expiration date.^2,3 According to the New Jersey Cord Blood Bank (NJCBB), frozen blood stem cells can last indefinitely when properly stored-and have already been used successfully after being stored for more than a decade.

LifebankUSA offers pricing plans as low as $44 per month. Low monthly payment plans are available. Expectant parents can also register with LifebankUSA to receive gift contributions from their friends and family toward stem cell banking. The LifebankUSA gift registry can make an extra measure of protection even more affordable. Contact LifebankUSA at 1-877-LIFEBANKUSA (1-877-543-32266) or visit www.lifebankusa.com for specific payment options and to learn more about the LifebankUSA gift registry.

Yes. However, thousands of people every year who are waiting for a stem cell transplant don't ever receive one.⁴ By privately banking, you have immediate access to a perfect stem cell match for your child. And there is a greater likelihood of a suitable match for family members than from a public registry. Additionally, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that the 1-year survival rate for patients treated with cord blood stem cells from a relative was 63%-compared with 29% from unrelated donors.⁵