For shipments in the Vancouver area:
You need to contact Lifebank and we will arrange for either a courier to pick-up the cord blood collection kit from the hospital and deliver it to our laboratory or you can have a family member deliver the kit to our laboratory.

For shipments outside the Vancouver area:
When you receive your cord blood collection kit, it will be packaged in a pre-addressed and pre-labeled transport box. You must keep the transport box for securely shipping your cord blood collection kit to Lifebank. In the collection kit we provide the waybills for the preferred courier choices you use and complete instructions for shipping your kit to Lifebank. Please notify Lifebank prior to shipping the sample and we will guide you through the shipping arrangements.

As soon as your cord blood unit arrives at Lifebank's facility you will be contacted by Lifebank laboratory personnel.

The amount of time may vary with individuals, but processing of stem cells should be completed within 48 hours from the time of cord blood collection. Our technologists require about 4 hours to process your baby’s cord blood, which should be taken into consideration when returning the cord blood unit to our facility.

Lifebank utilizes the latest technology for the collection, processing and storage of cord blood stem cells. To ensure a cord blood unit of the highest quality and safety we utilize:

• Closed system processing
• Routine multiple extraction cell recovery
• Enumeration of CD 34+ cells using an industry validated flow cytometry procedure
• State of the art computer operated controlled rate freezing and Liquid Nitrogen vapor phase storage tanks
• Comprehensive Serological and NAT donor screen infectious disease testing
• Pharmaceutical grade reagents and aseptic standard operating procedures
• Continuous quality assurance systems operation

There are many factors that may influence long-term viability, but the experts believe, in theory, since the molecular state of the stem cells has been suspended due to ultra low freezing, cord blood stem cells should remain viable for decades. The actual proven length of time that cord blood stem cells can remain viable should continue to increase as additional cord blood units are tested after remaining in cryostorage for a greater number of years/decades. Currently, regulatory agencies do not require expiration dating on the stored cord blood stem cell units. Lifebank will always use the highest quality procedures and the most advanced technology to ensure the greatest likelihood for long-term viability of your baby’s cord blood.

At Lifebank, all our liquid nitrogen vapour phase cryostorage units are monitored by 24 hour, 7-day surveillance systems, that will alert Lifebank personnel of any problems. Standard Operating Procedures are in effect to maintain the safety and quality of the cord blood units at all times and have been audited onsite by three regulatory agencies.( AABB, FACT, and Health Canada)

The use of stems cells for medical treatment is a planned procedure. Stored stem cells would be made available on demand, in consultation with your attending physician. Lifebank will ensure your cord blood stem cell unit is safely transported to anywhere in the world, without compromise of cellular viability, using industry approved shipping containers

There is no need to move the sample, just because you move. It is, however, your responsibility to notify Lifebank if your family relocates or if your personal contact information changes.