cord blood bankers, question for you (JD11365 especially)

[kristine_elen]

We're thinking of banking our second baby's cord blood (despite the little voice that tells me I'm being manipulated into doing so by the for-profit companies) and I see that the New England Cord Blood Bank is a bit less expensive than some others. Jamie (jd11365), you posted that it was about $1,300 for 20 years but now they're saying it's $1,800 for upfront fees plus 20 years of storage. Does that seem right to you? Quite a hike in just a couple of years.

http://www.cordbloodbank.com/thefacts/pricing.php

Any general thoughts on good/bad experiences w/cord blood banking would also be appreciated. We were going to donate Jack's cord blood when he was born but there was nowhere in our state (Maryland) to do so and I think that's still the case, as far as what I can see at marrow.org.

Thanks!

[jd11365]

Looks like the pricing went up. My check was for $1300 for 20 years and all the fees. :( I can't say much about experience, just that it was easy to do. You take the kit to the hospital, the doctor knows what to do, you give it to the FedEx guy...done. You get a letter a few weeks later letting you know they got it, and the amount of viable blood vials collected, or something like that. We haven't really thought about it since because thankfully we haven't had to consider using it. Just a piece of mind kinda thing knowing it's there. We will donate cord blood from any future children since we have Kayla's.

HTH!

Jamie
Mommy to Kayla
5-1-03
http://lilypie.com/baby2/030501/1/0/1/-5/.png

[kristine_elen]

Thanks, Jamie!