How long can cord blood be stored?

Smart Cells has an HTA licence which covers procurement, testing, processing, storage, import, release, and export of cord blood cells and tissue. Smart Cells has ISO9001:2015 certification, and participates in the UK National External Quality Assessment Service (NEQAS) quality assurance scheme for full blood and CD34 cell counting. Smart Cells takes ongoing Quality Assurance very seriously, with a rigorous programme of validating and auditing all critical practices and procedures. Fully trained and experienced staff operate according to validated procedures. The Smart Cells laboratory technical team are educated to degree and post graduate degree level in relevant biomedical sciences and use globally recognised techniques and technologies in the state-of-the-art processing facility. The Smart Cells approach to ongoing Quality Assurance, regulatory compliance, integrity, and transparency is supported and overseen by the Scientific Director, Head of Laboratory Operations, and Quality Officer. Cord blood transplantation is a clinically effective form of treatment for many patients with cancer and blood diseases who need a stem cell transplant. More recently, cord blood has become a relevant source of cells in regenerative medicine. There is no definitive consensus on how long frozen cord blood can be stored but scientists and clinicians worldwide are of the opinion that if cryopreserved and stored properly, then storage can be for decades or more. Smart Cells use state of the art processing, cryopreservation, and 24/7 monitored storage technologies designed to optimise the viability of stem cells. In vapour phase nitrogen temperatures below -170 degrees Celsius, all metabolic activities in cells are suspended, meaning there should be no deterioration. The majority of public and private banks worldwide use similar tried and tested technologies. Key work undertaken by Professor Hal Broxmeyer, a distinguished world leader in the field of cord blood therapeutics, has demonstrated efficient cell recovery at five years, 10 years, 15 years, and most recently 23.5 years after cells were cryopreserved, showing that properly stored stem cells can retain high viability even after 25 years (1). Cord blood storage has been available for around 29 years, although in the early years not many units were being stored and used. It is therefore not possible to look at empirical data beyond that time point, however Professor Broxmeyer’s team plan to perform a 30-year assessment on the oldest cord blood specimens (2). Realistically, it is in the last 18 years approximately that transplantation using cord blood has become a fully accepted therapeutic option and experts in the field have confidence that ongoing banking and use should continue (3). At Smart Cells, six years is the longest interval between storage and thawing of frozen cord blood cells that were given to a patient as a transplant which was satisfactory in terms of cell recovery and engraftment. No units older than this have yet been requested. As part of Smart Cells’ Quality Assurance programme and regulatory compliance, the team regularly undertake validation studies to ensure that the processing, freezing, and storage of cord blood is efficient and that total nucleated and viable CD34+ stem cell recoveries are satisfactory after thawing. If procedures to process, store, and thaw stem cells are of a high standard, thawing techniques significantly affect how many functional cells are recovered, and the other main factor is the original quality of the cord blood sample itself. Those with initial low viability/low cell numbers may not withstand the thawing process in the same way as a more cellular and robust product. It may take some time before clinical studies demonstrate conclusively that cord blood stem cells are viable after long-term frozen storage beyond 30 or more years. Clinical proof will require treating of patients with cord blood units that have been in storage for decades but for now, Smart Cells’ advice aligns with current worldwide expert opinion. (1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3100689/ (2) https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/news/how-long-can-cord-blood-be-stored (3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5442723/

What are TNC and CD34+?

TNC stands for Total Nucleated Cells which are the white blood cells within a cord blood sample. Smart Cells count these cells as this is an important measurement of the success of the collection in terms of cell numbers. Within the TNC cell fraction, the Smart Cells team look at numbers of CD34 positive cells. This is a critical measurement as CD34 is a marker of stem cells. Both TNC and CD34 levels in a cord blood sample are taken into account by clinical teams when deciding if there are sufficient stem cells for treatment.

If I have banked for one child, do I need to do it for additional children/siblings?

All the reasons you banked for the first child are still valid for additional children. If you want your baby to have the option of using his/her own cord blood, then you need to bank it. If you are banking to cover siblings, then the ability to use cord blood from one child for another depends on whether they have matching HLA types. Two full siblings have a 25 per cent chance of being a perfect match, a 50 per cent chance of being a half match, and a 25 per cent chance of not matching at all, making them more likely to match than an unrelated donor. For a cord blood transplant, donor and patient must match at least 4 out of 6 HLA types. The more siblings with banked cord blood, the more chance that they cover each other for possible stem cell transplants or other therapies for which sibling stem cells are accepted. References: Odds of sibling match are based on haplotype inheritance: that the child will receive 3 HLA types as a group from each parent. Source: Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood

Can I donate my cord blood and tissue stem cells?

Yes. In umbilical cord blood banking, public cord blood banks accept donated units for wider patient use, while private banks store them for your family. Cord blood collection takes place after baby’s umbilical cord is cut, and trained staff collect baby’s cord blood. When deciding whether to donate or preserve it, some families choose banking umbilical cord blood privately rather than giving it to a public bank.

How can stem cells be used in the future?

Cells from cord blood and stem cells from cord may be preserved for potential future use in mainstream transplantation to help treat blood and bone marrow cancers or diseases such as Thalassaemia or sickle cell disease. If the cells being used are autologous (from the individual for their own use), they are able to restore the blood and immune systems following chemotherapy used to treat the disease. If the transplant is allogeneic (from one sibling to another), not only can the cells restore the blood and immune systems, but they may play a role in cancer destruction too. Some applications aim to treat life threatening conditions, and neurological research includes the brain. Stem cells may also be used in regenerative medicine to help repair or replace damaged or diseased tissues or cells. These evolving regenerative applications are fairly recent and are typically being undertaken as part of research or clinical trials. View more information on the rest of the Smart Cells How can cord tissue stem cells help your child? How do stem cells work?

Do I have to pay to release or transport the sample if it is required for use in a transplant?

No additional costs will be incurred for the transportation of the sample at any time for therapeutic use. If an HLA test is required, the cost of a low-resolution test is covered. If clinical teams require high-resolution testing, there may be an extra cost.

Why Store Stem Cells

Introduction: Your Guide to Storing Stem Cells

This comprehensive guide is designed for expectant parents and families considering stem cell banking. Here, you’ll learn exactly how to store stem cells, why it matters for your family’s future health, and what steps are involved in the process. We cover the science behind stem cells, the benefits of storage, the collection and cryopreservation process, regulatory requirements, costs, and how to get started. Whether you’re exploring private cord blood banking or simply want to understand your options, this guide will help you make an informed decision about protecting your child’s health with stem cell storage.

What Stem Cells Are & Why They’re Special

Stem cells are the body’s building blocks — immature cells that can develop into many different types of tissues. Umbilical cord blood is rich in haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for blood and immune system repair, while cord tissue is a source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which have regenerative and anti-inflammatory potential.

How to store stem cells: Stem cells are stored by collecting umbilical cord blood and cord tissue at birth, processing them in a specialist laboratory, and cryopreserving the cells at ultra-low temperatures for long-term use.

For expectant parents considering private stem cell banking, preserving your baby’s stem cells at birth captures them in their healthiest state — before environmental exposures, illnesses, or age reduce their potential. These newborn stem cells already support treatment for more than 80 conditions and may also provide access to emerging therapies and clinical trials in regenerative medicine.

This guide explains the key decisions involved, including the stem cell types found in cord blood and tissue, how collection and storage work, quality and regulatory standards, costs, benefits, and the next steps if your family is thinking about banking with Smart Cells.

As you understand what stem cells are and why they’re unique, let’s explore their real and growing therapeutic uses.

Real & Growing Therapeutic Use

More than 80 conditions are routinely treated today using cord blood stem cells — including blood cancers such as leukaemia, genetic blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia, and immune deficiencies.
Cord tissue stem cells are being investigated for regenerative medicine, clinical trials are exploring stem cell therapy for neurological injuries affecting the brain, orthopedic conditions, skin repair, cardiovascular therapies, and more.
The FamiCord group has supplied stem cells to thousands of patients and supports both standard transplants and advanced cell-based therapies.

With a clear understanding of the therapeutic potential, let’s move on to the specific benefits of storing umbilical cord blood and tissue.

Benefits of Storing Umbilical Cord Blood & Tissue

Storing stem cells offers a range of advantages for your child and family. Here are the key benefits:

Personal & family coverage

Stored stem cells are available for your child, and possibly for siblings or matched family members — eliminating donor waiting time. In private cord blood banking, the cord blood is stored exclusively for the family. Some families choose this option to save cells because of family health history concerns.

Non-invasive, once-in-a-lifetime procedure

The collection at birth involves no risk to mother or baby and doesn’t interfere with delivery plans.

Preservation of potency

Stem cells collected at birth are more potent (younger, less exposure) and have greater regenerative flexibility.

Access to cutting-edge treatments

Experimental and clinical trials are expanding the applications of stem cells — preserving now means you may benefit from future breakthroughs.

Peace of mind & medical insurance

Even if you never need to use them, having stored stem cells removes uncertainties about donor matches, transplant compatibility, or finding the right quality sample. By contrast, a public bank makes donated cord blood available to anyone who is a suitable match.

Now that we’ve covered the benefits, let’s look at some key statistics about cord blood storage.

Cord Blood by the Numbers

1988

first transplant

6,800,000+

cord blood units stored globally

60,000+

cord blood units released for transplantation

Having seen the impressive numbers, let’s see what additional advantages FamiCord brings to the table.

What FamiCord Adds

Since Smart Cells is part of the FamiCord Group, parents also gain:

1,000,000+ samples stored across the group.
Proven supply of stem cells for 7,000+ patients in standard and experimental treatments.
Labs and operations in 35+ countries with rigorous regulatory, safety, and quality standards.

Understanding the scale and expertise of your storage provider is important. Next, let’s walk through the actual process of how to store stem cells.

How to Store Stem Cells: Step-by-Step Process

Storing stem cells involves several critical steps to ensure their long-term viability and safety:

1
Collection
- • Umbilical cord blood and/or tissue are collected immediately after birth, once the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. This is a safe, painless procedure for both mother and baby.
2
Processing & Preparation
- • The collected sample is transported to a specialist laboratory, where it is processed to isolate the stem cells.
- • Stem cells are typically suspended in a cryoprotective solution before freezing. The most commonly used cryoprotectant is Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which is essential to prevent ice crystal formation that can damage cells.
3
Cryopreservation (Controlled Freezing)
- • Cryopreservation is the gold standard for storing stem cells long-term. A gradual, controlled-rate freezing process is used to prevent cell damage.
- • Cells must be stored at ultra-low temperatures below -130°C, usually in liquid nitrogen at around -196°C. Storage can occur in the liquid or vapor phase of nitrogen.
4
Ultra-Low Temperature Storage
- • Once frozen, stem cells are stored in secure, regulated, and accredited biorepositories. Continuous temperature monitoring and backup systems are in place to ensure safety and viability.
5
Regulatory Compliance & Quality Control
- • Effective long-term preservation requires rigorous quality control, regulatory oversight, and accreditation (such as HTA, ISO, GMP). Only secure, licensed facilities should be used for storage.

By following these steps, families can be confident that their stem cells are preserved in optimal conditions for future use.

Now that you know the process, let’s review the key considerations to keep in mind when choosing a stem cell storage provider.

Things to Keep in Mind

To ensure the best outcome, families should consider:

Both cord blood and cord tissue

Each source offers different stem cell types, and using both widens treatment options.Each source offers different stem cell types, and using both widens treatment options.

Storage duration and viability

While stem cells in proper cryopreservation can last decades, conditions of storage, shipping, and lab protocols matter.

Regulation & accreditation

Choose an HTA-licensed facility (if in UK) or equivalent, with ISO / GMP compliance, external audits, strict quality assurance.

Costs & payment plans

Storage is an investment. Flexible payment options and transparent, all-in service fees reduce surprises.

With these considerations in mind, you’re ready to take the next steps toward storing your child’s stem cells.

Next Steps — What You Can Do

1
Check our collection process
Review how our collection works to ensure you’re comfortable with each step.
Read more Contact
2
Download our free guide
Compare cord blood vs cord tissue: which to store, how it works, and what conditions are already treatable vs in trials.
Free guide
3
Talk to our team
Discuss your family’s medical history — this helps assess which treatments might be relevant. If you’re storing stem cells for another child, you may also be eligible for an exclusive returning family offer. Call us at 01895 424430.
4
Get organised before birth
Complete your enrolment before your due date. We’ll arrange your collection kit, while you complete the consent forms, so everything is ready for your baby’s birth. A £325 booking fee secures your booking, with the remaining balance payable once your baby’s stem cells have been successfully processed and stored.

Taking these steps will help you prepare for a smooth and successful stem cell storage experience.

Final Thought

Storing stem cells isn’t just a medical decision — it’s a proactive step to protect your child’s health and broaden their future options. With Smart Cells & FamiCord, you’re choosing a trusted partner that’s committed to making this process safe, accessible, and scientifically sound.

FAQ’s

How long can cord blood be stored?
Smart Cells has an HTA licence which covers procurement, testing, processing, storage, import, release, and export of cord blood cells and tissue. Smart Cells has ISO9001:2015 certification, and participates in the UK National External Quality Assessment Service (NEQAS) quality assurance scheme for full blood and CD34 cell counting.
Smart Cells takes ongoing Quality Assurance very seriously, with a rigorous programme of validating and auditing all critical practices and procedures. Fully trained and experienced staff operate according to validated procedures. The Smart Cells laboratory technical team are educated to degree and post graduate degree level in relevant biomedical sciences and use globally recognised techniques and technologies in the state-of-the-art processing facility.
The Smart Cells approach to ongoing Quality Assurance, regulatory compliance, integrity, and transparency is supported and overseen by the Scientific Director, Head of Laboratory Operations, and Quality Officer.
Cord blood transplantation is a clinically effective form of treatment for many patients with cancer and blood diseases who need a stem cell transplant. More recently, cord blood has become a relevant source of cells in regenerative medicine.
There is no definitive consensus on how long frozen cord blood can be stored but scientists and clinicians worldwide are of the opinion that if cryopreserved and stored properly, then storage can be for decades or more. Smart Cells use state of the art processing, cryopreservation, and 24/7 monitored storage technologies designed to optimise the viability of stem cells. In vapour phase nitrogen temperatures below -170 degrees Celsius, all metabolic activities in cells are suspended, meaning there should be no deterioration. The majority of public and private banks worldwide use similar tried and tested technologies.
Key work undertaken by Professor Hal Broxmeyer, a distinguished world leader in the field of cord blood therapeutics, has demonstrated efficient cell recovery at five years, 10 years, 15 years, and most recently 23.5 years after cells were cryopreserved, showing that properly stored stem cells can retain high viability even after 25 years (1). Cord blood storage has been available for around 29 years, although in the early years not many units were being stored and used. It is therefore not possible to look at empirical data beyond that time point, however Professor Broxmeyer’s team plan to perform a 30-year assessment on the oldest cord blood specimens (2). Realistically, it is in the last 18 years approximately that transplantation using cord blood has become a fully accepted therapeutic option and experts in the field have confidence that ongoing banking and use should continue (3).
At Smart Cells, six years is the longest interval between storage and thawing of frozen cord blood cells that were given to a patient as a transplant which was satisfactory in terms of cell recovery and engraftment. No units older than this have yet been requested.
As part of Smart Cells’ Quality Assurance programme and regulatory compliance, the team regularly undertake validation studies to ensure that the processing, freezing, and storage of cord blood is efficient and that total nucleated and viable CD34+ stem cell recoveries are satisfactory after thawing.
If procedures to process, store, and thaw stem cells are of a high standard, thawing techniques significantly affect how many functional cells are recovered, and the other main factor is the original quality of the cord blood sample itself. Those with initial low viability/low cell numbers may not withstand the thawing process in the same way as a more cellular and robust product.
It may take some time before clinical studies demonstrate conclusively that cord blood stem cells are viable after long-term frozen storage beyond 30 or more years. Clinical proof will require treating of patients with cord blood units that have been in storage for decades but for now, Smart Cells’ advice aligns with current worldwide expert opinion.
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3100689/
(2) https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/news/how-long-can-cord-blood-be-stored
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5442723/
What are TNC and CD34+?
TNC stands for Total Nucleated Cells which are the white blood cells within a cord blood sample. Smart Cells count these cells as this is an important measurement of the success of the collection in terms of cell numbers. Within the TNC cell fraction, the Smart Cells team look at numbers of CD34 positive cells. This is a critical measurement as CD34 is a marker of stem cells.
Both TNC and CD34 levels in a cord blood sample are taken into account by clinical teams when deciding if there are sufficient stem cells for treatment.
If I have banked for one child, do I need to do it for additional children/siblings?
All the reasons you banked for the first child are still valid for additional children.
If you want your baby to have the option of using his/her own cord blood, then you need to bank it.
If you are banking to cover siblings, then the ability to use cord blood from one child for another depends on whether they have matching HLA types. Two full siblings have a 25 per cent chance of being a perfect match, a 50 per cent chance of being a half match, and a 25 per cent chance of not matching at all, making them more likely to match than an unrelated donor. For a cord blood transplant, donor and patient must match at least 4 out of 6 HLA types. The more siblings with banked cord blood, the more chance that they cover each other for possible stem cell transplants or other therapies for which sibling stem cells are accepted.
References: Odds of sibling match are based on haplotype inheritance: that the child will receive 3 HLA types as a group from each parent.
Source: Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood
Can I donate my cord blood and tissue stem cells?
Yes. In umbilical cord blood banking, public cord blood banks accept donated units for wider patient use, while private banks store them for your family. Cord blood collection takes place after baby’s umbilical cord is cut, and trained staff collect baby’s cord blood. When deciding whether to donate or preserve it, some families choose banking umbilical cord blood privately rather than giving it to a public bank.
How can stem cells be used in the future?
Cells from cord blood and stem cells from cord may be preserved for potential future use in mainstream transplantation to help treat blood and bone marrow cancers or diseases such as Thalassaemia or sickle cell disease. If the cells being used are autologous (from the individual for their own use), they are able to restore the blood and immune systems following chemotherapy used to treat the disease. If the transplant is allogeneic (from one sibling to another), not only can the cells restore the blood and immune systems, but they may play a role in cancer destruction too.
Some applications aim to treat life threatening conditions, and neurological research includes the brain.
Stem cells may also be used in regenerative medicine to help repair or replace damaged or diseased tissues or cells. These evolving regenerative applications are fairly recent and are typically being undertaken as part of research or clinical trials. View more information on the rest of the Smart Cells How can cord tissue stem cells help your child? How do stem cells work?
Do I have to pay to release or transport the sample if it is required for use in a transplant?
No additional costs will be incurred for the transportation of the sample at any time for therapeutic use.
If an HLA test is required, the cost of a low-resolution test is covered. If clinical teams require high-resolution testing, there may be an extra cost.

Find out more

Stem cell collection

About Smart Cells