Experts from medical research all agree that cord blood is a vital source of stem cells and, if possible, it should be collected and stored. Following table shows a summary of the differences between banking cord blood privately or donating it to for the public use.

 

	Private cord blood banking	Donation to the public bank
Why bank cord blood?	You ensure your child has quick and exclusive access to stem cells if it ever needs them.	Donating cord blood is a humane deed. By doing this you can help patients in need of hematopoietic stem cells from a donor.
What are the restrictions for cord blood banking?	Nearly every family can decide for private storage. Cord blood isn't collected only in case the mother suffered a serious infection during the pregnancy.	The donor mother must undergo a selection process based on certain criteria given by the legislature and the requirements of transplant centers.
What happens to cord blood after the collection?	After collection cord blood of your child is processed and cryopreserved for future use.	Suitable cord blood is selected for international exchange, where it is available for patients anywhere in the world. Rejected cord blood (cca 70%) can be used for research or is destroyed.
What are my rights to the stored cord blood?	The child has full and exclusive rights to its cord blood.	Donated cord blood is in the ownership of the public cord blood bank. The parents have no guarantee that it will be available for the child if it is needed.
How much does it cost?	The parents pay a single payment for the collection and processing and a yearly payment for storage.	There is no payment by parents if cord blood is donated. All costs are paid for by cord blood bank.
Do the parents pay extra if cord blood is to be used for treatment?	The parents don't pay any additional cost when cord blood is used for transplantation; the procedure is covered by health insurance.	The parents don't pay any additional cost when cord blood is used for transplantation; the procedure is covered by health insurance.