How to Select a Cord Blood Bank

Finding a reliable blood bank takes a lot of time and research, so it’s always a great idea to begin your search as early as possible. When it comes time to deliver your baby, make sure that your doctor, hospital, and/or midwife knows the name and location of your umbilical cord blood bank so that the transition is smooth.

1. Review the list of non-profit and for-profit cord blood banks at the Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Foundation organization.  They offer a list of over 200 organizations that specialize in helping people find blood cord banks nationally and internationally.


2. Confer with friends, colleagues and family members about how and where they stored their blood because many companies offer discount packages to folks with referrals.  


3. Research the qualifications and certifications of the bank.  Look into whether it is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certified, and whether the organization is accredited by FACT, the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy.  These accrediting organizations ensure the proper storage and retrieval of the blood.


4. Ensure that you choose a blood bank that allows you and other assigned family members access to the blood in case of a medical condition that necessitates the blood.  This is called “autologous” and “family use.”  The blood needs to not only be accessible for the person who it belongs to, but also to treat family members of a range of diseases for years to come.


5. Determine the experience level of the bank and ask what plans the bank has in the event that it shut down.  Make sure that the bank has a solid contingency plan to transfer the blood in using the proper transportation techniques, and that the bank allows for the removal of the blood by a consenting parent if a new bank is necessary or desired.