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AMERICORD INFOGUIDETO CORD BLOOD AND TISSUE BANKING

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When it comes to sources rich in stem cells, it’s hard to beat cord blood. This easily accessible source, which is only available when a baby is born, contains a large number of these cells. To get a bit technical, cord blood stem cells are more commonly known as hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), the same type of stem cell that makes bone marrow transplants such a powerful medical treatment. HSCs can become the different types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These multipotent cells are a source of treatment and renewal for many blood disorders, immune system deficiencies, cancers, and tumors. In other words, HSCs are multi-skilled.

In addition to being a 100 percent genetic match with the baby, HSCs can be used to treat other family members, including siblings. This fact can be especially important for babies who might have a more difficult time finding an exact match in a public cord bank — multiracial children, for example. Historically, HSCs have only been available from bone marrow and peripheral blood transplants. Today, HSCs from baby’s umbilical cord blood are far superior both medically and financially.

The Importance of Cord Blood

Before we go too deep into the details of cord blood banking, let’s take a step back and look at why stem cells are so valuable.

Stem cells have the amazing potential to develop into different cell types in the body during early life and growth. In the body’s tissues, they function as a type of repair system and are able to divide as many times as needed to replenish other cells. What sets stem cells apart is that, when they divide, they can either stay as a stem cell or change into another type of cell, such as a muscle, red blood, or brain cell.

The umbilical cord is an especially rich source of these amazing cells, which is why so many parents-to-be like you are looking into taking advantage of an opportune time to collect and bank stem cells.

Stem Cell Basics

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“Cord blood stem cells are more commonly known as hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), the same type of stem cell that makes bone marrow transplants such a powerful medical treatment.

We know how excited you are to have a baby on the way—and the nervousness that can come with the responsibility. Expecting parents today have access to so much information to prepare them to do all they can for their newborn… but some things, like medical concerns, may seem a bit daunting. Perhaps that’s why you began looking into cord blood banking or maybe you heard about the process from a friend or your OB. However you reached Americord, we’re happy we can be here to provide any information you need and address any questions and concerns you may have about cord blood, cord tissue, and placental tissue banking

Congratulations!

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Immune disorders like severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and lymphoproliferative disorders

Current Uses of HSCs

Is Cord Blood Better than Bone Marrow? In a Word, Yes

There are a number of tangible ways in which HSC cells have been successfully used to treat a number of health conditions. For example, a number of common disease categories are treatable with a cord blood transplant.

HSC treatments have become standard-of-care for treating a type of multiple sclerosis, promising the possibility of treating other neurological and immune-mediated disorders.

““HSC treatments have become standard-of-care for treating a type of multiple sclerosis, promising the possibility of treating other neurological and immune-mediated disorders.

Cord blood stem cells are immunologically naïve, making them more flexible than adult stem cells, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Cord blood is collected in advance, tested, and stored frozen, ready for use, while bone marrow donation requires surgery under general anesthesia.

Cord blood is less costly than bone marrow transplants on a per-procedure basis.

Cord blood has less risk of complications when used in transplants, most notably lower incidence rates for graft-versus-host-disease.

Cord blood transplants have a low risk of tumor growth, low risk of viral contamination, and high cell proliferation capacity, according to research by the NIH.

Cord blood transplants require a less perfect HLA match than bone marrow. Bone marrow transplants generally require a perfect match of HLA antigens, while HLA-mismatched cord blood transplants are possible, making it easier to find a genetically compatible match, according to the NIH.

These include cancers like leukemia and lymphomas

Blood disorders like sickle cell disease and aplastic anemia

And metabolic disorders like Hurler syndrome and Krabbe disease

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What Is Cord Tissue Banking and How Can It Benefit Your Family?The tissue of your baby’s umbilical cord is another rich source of a different kind of stem cell, called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

MSCs can become many different types of cells, including cartilage, bone, fat, skin, and connective tissue cells. They are especially unique because they can regenerate, allowing for multiple treatments. MSCs are the subject of clinical research into treating a wide range of conditions, including:

• Diabetes• Heart disease• Liver disease

Another reason that cord tissue banking is a popular option is because MSCs are safe to use with immediate family members, extending potential benefits beyond your baby!

• Autism• Alzheimer’s• Burns

• Serious wounds• Spinal cord injuries• Stroke

Future Uses of HSCsThe full treatment potential of cord blood stem cells is not yet known. Researchers are conducting over 1300 clinical trials worldwide to expand these treatment opportunities, with great strides being made.

While cord blood seems to get the lion’s share of attention when parents-to-be are researching this important topic, there is another type of “banking” that can take place after delivery — tissue banking.

In addition, when cord blood cells differentiate into blood vessel cells, they may be useful for repairing tissues following:

• Stroke• Coronary heart disease• Congestive heart failure

Also, because cord blood stem cells can transform into neural cells, they show potential for the treatment of neurological conditions like:

• Alzheimer’s• Dementia• Parkinson’s

Cord blood stem cells are demonstrating great promise in preventing tissue rejection following organ transplants like:

• Liver transplants• Kidney transplants• Heart transplants

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Cord Blood Banking: How It WorksYou are probably wondering how the entire cord blood banking process works. Because you will have a lot on your mind during the delivery — including plenty of anticipation and excitement over meeting your newest family member — we wanted to give you a clear-cut explanation of what to expect:

Your baby is born with

the umbilical cord attached, the cord will

be clamped and cut so the baby can be cleaned and cared

for.

Your doctor or midwife draws cord

blood from the clamped cord into a

special collection bag.

Once the collection kit is

ready, our medical courier picks it up and expedites delivery to

our lab.We perform all

necessary testing. Once completed, stem

cells are separated from the whole blood.

We store the cord blood stem cells in

specially designed bags.The cord blood

stem cells will be preserved in a liquid

nitrogen storage tank (-190° C) inside our secure lab facility.

Our moms didn’t get the opportunity to bank their stem cells, but that doesn’t mean we’re out of luck. The placenta, which nourishes your baby throughout pregnancy, can also be extremely valuable after your baby is born. Once considered medical waste, the placenta holds the potential to be a source for regenerative medicine and new therapies for anti-aging.

Weighing an average of 1.5 lbs, the placenta contains a large reservoir of MSCs. Unlike those found in the umbilical cord, these placental stem cells can safely be used for you, mom, as well as other immediate family members. MSCs from placental tissue also secrete valuable growth factors, such as those that limit neuronal degeneration, that have promising medical applications.

Placental Tissue Offers a Second Chance

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Now that you have started the process of researching cord blood banking, you may have noticed that there are a number of companies that offer this service. As you look into the process further, you may wonder if there are key differences between cord blood banks.

In a nutshell, not all cord blood banks are created equally. Generally speaking, all cord blood banks must register with the FDA to ensure safety and regulatory compliance with current manufacturing practices, donor screening, and infectious disease testing. Also, most have labs accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), and must meet certain standards of service and accuracy.

However, there are definite differences in the way cord blood banks operate. When selecting a cord blood and tissue bank, the most important considerations are technology, product quality, and product safety. You want to store as many viable stem cells as possible so that you have the most potentially life-saving opportunities available for your growing family. For additional peace-of-mind, you want a company that stands behind its products with a quality guarantee.

With this in mind, the following is a “cheat sheet” list of questions that you should ask cord blood banks to help you determine the right option for your family.

• How many stem cells can I expect to store?

• What are your stem cell processing success rates?

• Do you test the stem cells for viability before storing?

• What happens if I fail to collect the recommended minimum Total Nucleated Cells?

• What is your quality guarantee should the stem cells fail to engraft?

Product Quality

• Do you use FDA-approved anticoagulants in your collection kit?

• Is your collection kit FDA-approved for C-sections (sterilized both inside and outside)?

Product Safety

• What is the total cost for 20 years of storage?

• Are there any non-refundable fees should I need to cancel for any reason?

• Is the annual storage fee fixed or might it increase later?

• Are there any additional processing fees upon withdrawal?

Hidden FeesS

• Do you have customer reviews that you can share with me?

Trust

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“All cord blood banks must register with the FDA to ensure safety and regulatory compliance with current manufacturing practices, donor screening, and infectious disease testing.

How to Choose a Bank — Questions to Ask

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Trusting AmericordEntrusting your baby’s stem cells to a company for collection, processing, and storage requires a great deal of confidence. Americord was founded on the principles of integrity and innovation to ensure that trust is warranted — from our technology and operations to our customer service and quality guarantee.

Quality GuaranteeAs a valued Americord client, the viability of your baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells is backed by our $110,000 guarantee. If your child’s cord blood unit is used in a stem cell transplant and the cells fail to engraft, Americord will pay $110,000 towards the cost of procuring stem cells from an alternative source.

Customer ReviewsWe believe in transparency and work with Consumer Affairs to collect and publish customer reviews. Hearing from our customers is the best way to find opportunities for continual improvement.

Americord: Why and How We Stand Apart from the Competition

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“Americord prides itself on constantly innovating, both within the biobanking space as well as our R&D efforts pertaining to use cases for cord blood and tissue. We’re committed to improving everything we do, from customer service to cord blood processing.

Part of this commitment is a dedication to the future of stem cell medicine, which is why we have formed partnerships with other organizations, such as the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), and pursue research that will benefit everyone, not just our clients.

Expecting parents can reserve a kit and then return it free of charge as their plans change.

Americord’s Medical Director, Dr. Robert DrackerAt Americord, we are proud to have one of the pioneers of cord blood banking, Dr. Robert Dracker, as our Executive Medical Director. He is a leading hematologist, pediatric oncologist, and recognized blood and stem cell banking expert. Dr. Dracker was an architect of the New York cord blood banking licensing requirements, which are considered to be the gold standard of cord blood banking accreditations. He is responsible for all laboratory, collection, and transport protocols and procedures, as well as licensing, accreditation, and quality controls. He leads research and development of our stem cell banking innovations and advises on all scientific and medical matters at Americord.

Americord gives parents the chance to collect enough stem cells to treat children into adolescence and even adulthood. Our Cord Blood 2.0™ technology has the ability to collect enough stem cells to treat a person up to 165 pounds under certain conditions. Traditional cord blood banks often collect only enough stem cells to treat a child under 65 pounds. Americord is also a pioneer of cord tissue and placental tissue banking and remains one of only a few banks to offer both of these potentially life-changing services. Industry Standard

60 ML

UP TO150 ML

Americord®

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We are committed to the highest levels of customer service, with 24/7 availability and white-glove care, including bedside pickup service by the medical courier. For mothers in early labor or last-minute stem cell banking decisions, our AmericordRush™ program offers same-day delivery of the Americord Collection Kit at no extra cost.

We allow parents to decide what to bank right up until delivery, with our 3-in-1 Collection Kit for the collection of cord blood, cord tissue, and placental tissue. Expecting parents can reserve a kit and then return it free of charge as their plans change. There are no cancellation fees, no annual storage fees, and no withdrawal fees.

We Are Happy to Provide Round-the-Clock Customer Service

How You Get Your KitKits are usually mailed to your house, but delivery options vary based on client due dates:

Single Birth

Within 1 month of due date: kits are sent via FedEx Overnight with Standard 10:30 AM delivery

Between 1 and 2 months from due date: kits are sent via 2nd Day Air

Greater than 2 months from due date: kits are sent via FedEx Ground

Twins and Triplets

All twins and triplets are sent via FedEx Priority Overnight with Standard 10:30 AM delivery.

Americord Rush

In the event of urgent birth, Americord has kits strategically placed around the United States and can rush a kit to expecting parents at home or the hospital within a few hours. The following all qualify as examples of when Rush is the right option:

• If the mother is going to the hospital today• If the mother went into labor early and forgot kit• If the mother has not received their FedEx kit• Last minute sign-up• Compromised shipping box

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CONDITIONS TREATED USING UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD STEM CELLS SINCE 2008 Source: Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation as of February 5, 2019. Please visit their web site for the most current and comprehensive information.

Inherited Red Cell (Erythrocyte) Abnormalities• Beta Thalassemia Major (also known

as Cooley’s Anemia)• Diamond-Blackfan Anemia• Pure Red Cell Aplasia• Sickle Cell Disease Other Chronic Leukemia

• Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia• Juvenile Chronic Myelogenous

Leukemia• Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia

Inherited Immune System Disorders: Neutropenias• Kostmann Syndrome• Myelokathexis

Inherited Immune System Disorders• Severe Combined Immunodeficiency

(SCID) • SCID with Adenosine Deaminase

Deficiency• SCID which is X-linked• SCID with absence of T & B Cells• SCID with absence of T Cells, • Normal B Cells• Omenn Syndrome

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (sometimes called pre-leukemia)• Refractory Anemia• Refractory Anemia with Ringed

Sideroblasts• Refractory Anemia with Excess Blasts• Refractory Anemia with Excess Blasts

in Transformation• Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia

Disorders of Blood Cell Proliferation Anemias• Severe Aplastic Anemia• Congenital Dyserythropoietic Anemia • Ranconi Anemia• Paroxysmal Nocturnal

Hemoglobinuria• Pure Red Cell Aplasia Inherited• Platelet Abnormalities• Amegakaryocytosis / Congenital

Thromboctopenia• Glanzmann Thrombasthenia

FDA-Approved TreatmentsLeukemias• Acute Leukemia• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia• Acute Myelogenous Leukemia• Acute Biphenotypic Leukemia• Acute Undifferentiated Leukemia

Lymphomas• Hodgkin’s Lymphoma• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

(Burkitt’s Lymphoma)

Myeloproliferative Disorders• Acute Myelofibrosis• Agnogenic Myeloid • Metaplasia (Myelofibrosis)

Polycythemia Vera• Essential Thrombocythemia

Phagocyte Disorders• Chediak-Higashi Syndrome • Chronic Granulomatous Conditions• Neutrophil Actin Deficiency • Reticular Dysgensis Cancers in the Bone Marrow

• Multiple Myeloma• Plasma Cell Leukemia • Waldenstrom’s• Macroglobulinemia

Leukodystrophy Disorders

• Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) / Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN)

• Krabbe Disease (Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy)

• Metachromatic Leukodystrophy• Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Conditions

Lysomal Storage Conditions

• Niemann-Pick Conditions• Sandhoff Conditions• Wolman Conditions

Inherited Disorders - Other• Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome• Osteopetrosis

Inherited Immune System Disorders – Other• Ataxia-Telangiectasia• Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome• Common Variable Immunodeficiency• DiGeorge Syndrome• Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency• Lymphoproliferative Disorders• Lymphoproliferative Disorder,

X-linked (also known as Epstein-Barr Virus Susceptibility)

• Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome

Solid Tumors• Neuroblastoma • Retinoblastoma

Transplants for Inherited Disorders Affecting the Immune System and Other Organs• Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia• Gunther’s Disease (Erythropoietic

Porphyria)• Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome• Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome• Systemic Mastocytosis• Transplants for Inherited Metabolic

Disorders • Mucopolysacchariodosis Storage

Conditions• Hurler Syndrome (MPS-IH)• Scheie Syndrome (MPS-IS)• Hunter Syndrome (MPS-II)• Sanfilippo Syndrome (MPS-III)• Morquio Syndrome (MPS-IV)• Maroteau-Lamy Syndrome (MPS-VI)• Sly Syndrome, Beta-Glucuronidase

Deficiency (MPS-VII)• Mucolipidosis II (I-cell Conditions)

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Letter from FounderI founded Americord after my family’s experiences with cord blood banking left something to be desired. I wanted to start a company that focused on the customer experience at every level: from the innovation and science that drives the industry to the customer service that people should expect in such an important partnership.

We hope this information guide helps you make the best decision for your family. We understand that this is a momentous, busy time in your life, and we’re here to help. Our dedicated Stem Cell Specialists and Client Services teams are available seven days a week to answer any questions you might have, from the science of stem cell banking, the future benefits of this investment, to how you get your kit and what to do once you arrive at the hospital. We want to make this decision as easy, transparent, and valuable as possible for you.

I am proud to say that our efforts to deliver the very best to our clients have been rewarded — Americord has been the fastest growing cord blood bank in the country since 2011 and recognized as an Inc. 5000 fastest growing company in the country every year since 2015. We know that this is only possible because of the families that have chosen to place their trust in us.We hope you never need them, but if you do, Americord will keep your newborn’s stem cells safe and ready.

— Martin SmithmyerFounder and CEO

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