Can family members use the stored stem cells?

The utilization of your newborn's stem cells within the family can vary depending on several factors, including:

• The patient's condition
• Whether it is a current treatment (transplant medicine) or experimental use (regenerative medicine)
• How closely HLA matched the patient is to the child with preserved cord blood
• How closely related the patient is to the child with preserved cord blood

Saving your newborn's stem cells with Anja Health ensures that your baby's stem cells will be available to your family if you ever need them in the future. Families choose Anja, a private bank because there are significant benefits to using your own stem cells or stem cells from a family member if ever needed. Here are some key considerations:

• First or second-degree relatives who are a suitable match may be able to use your newborn's cord blood stem cells.
• Full siblings are the most likely to be compatible matches, with a 75% chance of being at least a partial match.
• Both biological parents will always be a partial match, 50%.
• Extended family members like grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews are less likely to be immune-compatible but still have the chance to be a partial match at 25%.

Your child will always be a perfect match for their own stem cells and could use them for a growing number of diseases. However, it's important to note that they may not be generally applicable to inherited genetic conditions. In such cases, a matched sibling's stem cells offer the best choice.

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