Stem Cell Storage

The Stored Stem Cell

Lazaron already possesses the advanced expertise for processing and optimising the yield of the baby’s stem cells. These cells will be cryogenically frozen and stored for the lifetime of a donor. Since cord blood stem cell storage is a relatively new concept, the longest reported sample yet stored remains in the order of 23 years.

Stem cells are cryogenically preserved in the Lazaron storage facility and are kept in a continuous frozen state at -196°C in liquid nitrogen. This storage process is not dependent on electricity supply and isolated from external power cuts.

At present, cord blood stem cell technology is considered a once-off opportunity, and while the current reported probability for future use of stem cells remains in the order of 1 to 200 by age 70 (based on national medical data bases SEER and CIBMTR for the years 2001-2003), it is anticipated that this probability will increase substantially in future as new medical advances are made and more clinical conditions are successfully treated. Internationally, substantial research is being conducted on umbilical cord blood, to find ways of expanding the number of HSC’s and to compare the biological properties of cord blood with that of adult bone marrow stem cells.

Cord blood stem cells remain a perfect match for the particular baby, and have a high probability of being a clinically useful match for a sibling (one in four). It can also potentially be used by parents and grandparents in the treatment of over 70 diseases including a wide range of blood cancers, genetic diseases, immune system deficiencies and blood disorders.

Other advantages include:

  • Cord blood is readily available at birth
  • It is easily collected at no risk to mother or child and is totally painless
  • Cord blood is often a superior choice to bone marrow transplants for treating leukaemia and other immunological diseases
  • There is a reduced risk of graft versus host disease
  • Lowers the risk of infectious diseases in stem cells through autologous use
  • Cord blood stem cells have superior proliferative capacity when compared to adult derived bone marrow stem cells
  • The possible use of stored stem cells to bolster the immune system after certain treatments
  • Current scientific data shows that stem cells remain viable after 20 years of storage in liquid nitrogen. Expectations are that the units can be frozen for even longer periods of time.
    It is most important to note that Lazaron remains a family cord blood stem cell bank. As such the decision to store or not to store umbilical cord blood stem cells must remain a very personal and well-informed decision on the part of the parents. We endeavour to keep this service affordable to patients, and we do not expect endorsement of our services by medical practitioners. Rather, Lazaron will at all times endeavour to provide both patients and medical practitioners with well-balanced and up

According to the New York State Department of Health Council on Human Blood and Transfusion Services
“There is no evidence at present that cells stored at -196°C in an undisturbed manner lose their in vitro determined viability or biological activity. Therefore at the current time, no expiration date need to be assigned to cord blood stored continuously under liquid nitrogen.”

Storing umbilical cord stem cells is an insurance policy for the unlikely event your child becomes ill with a condition treatable with cord blood stem cells.
Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells 'the building blocks of life' which parents are increasingly choosing to store on behalf of their children.