For many like Laura Smith of Minnesota, investing in the future of her two daughters is a no-brainer. “My husband and I chose to bank our children’s cord blood simply because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Smith said.

“The published odds are one in 400 that a child would need to use their own cord blood,” Stephen Grant, senior vice president of Cord Blood Registry said, “but really, our belief is that all the newborns that have their cells banked with CBR will one day be able to gain benefit from them.” Source: WCCO

Cord blood banking is an investment for the future. It is an insurance against several life threatening diseases, the number of which is increasing by the day.

And you would be in the august company of the Spanish crown prince, Felipe, and Princess Letizia, who have sent umbilical cord blood of their baby for preservation in the USA so that it could be used in the treatment of future illnesses.

Cord Blood Registry is one of several private companies that now pay mothers who’ve banked with them in the past.

“I am rewarded for my efforts,” Laura Smith said. And she means now.

Viacord, the company Smith used, invited her to help start the Mother’s Circle Program two years ago. She now makes $150 every time another family signs up.

“I speak to, I would say, on average, anywhere between three and seven expectant mothers every week,” Smith said.

Mrs. Smith says it’s not about the money; it’s about educating parents. But I am sure it doesn’t hurt and goes a long way to defray the cost of cord blood banking.