I can donate to a public bank and retrieve the cells later if needed.

Fact: Samples are donated anonymously to public banks. If cells were needed at a later date, the best match will be found by searching, but might not be the one donated.

For families to make an informed decision, it is important for them to understand that not all donated samples are banked. Multiple studies have shown that more than half of potential cord blood donors are not eligible for donation. As many as 71 percent of donations may be rejected by public banks based on family medical history, maternal medical history, collection volume, and examination of the maternal blood sample. (Transfusion, January 2000, Vol. 40:1, 124).