The number of times a sample can be used depends on several factors, including the quality of the sample, the number of cells collected and stored at birth, the patient’s weight, and technical advancements. This decision will always depend on the medical team’s assessment at the time of treatment. However, you are not necessarily limited to using a sample for a single infusion. If units are supplied to suitably experienced transplant centres it is possible for a bag of cord blood to be thawed, washed, cell numbers counted and a portion used with the rest being aliquoted and re-frozen.

At Duke University Medical Center, USA, this process has been undertaken with some SCI units and patients have been able to have several sequential treatment episodes. You can find out more information on how the samples are stored here: https://www.smartcells.com/bags-v-vials/