Public cord blood banks provide an opportunity for women to donate their baby's umbilical cord blood. Donations are voluntary. The processed cord blood or cord blood unit can be identified and used by anyone who is in need of a life-saving transplant.

With private cord blood banks, cord blood units are stored for the use of the child whose cord blood was collected. Parents privately arrange to bank their child's own cord blood for potential future use by that child. There is a cost attached for collection and processing, as well as an annual fee for storage at private cord blood banks.

Private vs Public Cord Blood Banking?

Article in Singapore Medical Association Newsletter - "Push!"

Article in LA Times: Stem Cells in the Bank - For what, it's not yet known

American Association of Paediatrics:
Cord Blood Banking for Potential Future Transplantation: Subject Review
AAP Encourages Public Cord Blood Banking

Untying the Gordian knot:
policies, practices, and ethical issues related to banking of umbilical cord blood