a group of plastic cups sitting on top of a machine

Accessibility

Public vs. Private

  • Families have full rights and immediate access to the sample if needed.

Public

Private

  • Once donated, the bank owns it. You lose access, but it becomes available to anyone on a matching registry.

  • The unit is listed in a public registry for anyone in need of a transplant.

  • Only available at select hospitals that are partners with public banks.

References

Cleveland Clinic medical. “Cord Blood Banking.” Cleveland Clinic, 4 Mar. 2026, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23981-cord-blood-banking.

“Umbilical Cord Blood Banking.” ACOG, www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2019/03/umbilical-cord-blood-banking. Accessed 10 May 2026.