As more and more families choose to explore the immense potentials of an infant's cord blood collection, more questions arise as to the options for banking, as well as, the actual process of collecting and donating.

Currently, families have two options to direct the cord blood banking. There are Family Banks and Public Donation Banks. Family Banks usually charge a collection and storage fee for their services, and the blood is solely for the family's use. Public Donation Banks charge no costs to the family, however, the right to the newborn's cord blood is given up and the parents have no claim if it is ever needed.

Unfortunately, the usual amount collected from the umbilical cord is insufficient to divide the sample between the two. The main reasoning behind this is that although the processing and storage of the blood is highly refined, current scientific evidence does not stipulate a minimum amount of transplant to ensure success. Therefore, the entire specimen is often required.

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