- Swiss Certified Family Biobank
Do you want to donate umbilical cord blood but also wish to store it for your family? Choose SSCB’s hybrid option for an act of solidarity that also protects your loved ones.
This service represents an ideal solution that combines safety for the family with an act of solidarity towards other patients waiting for a transplant, offering personal protection and a contribution to the community. Parents store the stem cells for their family, and if the tissue characteristics are compatible, these will be registered in the public donor registry. In the event of compatibility with an anonymous patient, parents can choose whether to donate them or keep them for the family.
Since 2020, this project, approved by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and developed in collaboration with the Women’s Clinic of the Inselspital in Bern, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC), and Swiss Stem Cell Biotech AG (SSCB), offers a hybrid storage service available in various clinics nationwide.
In the case of hybrid donation, umbilical cord blood is stored for personal use, with costs covered by the parents but at a reduced price. The stem cells are typed and anonymously registered in the Swiss public registry. If they are compatible for a transplant, parents can decide to donate them and receive a reimbursement of expenses. Otherwise, the cells remain stored exclusively for the family.
A life-saving choice: hybrid storage arrives in public hospitals, and due to the success of the initiative, it is expected to extend this option to all public hospitals nationwide.
Professor Surbek from Inselspital in Bern illustrates the advantages of cord blood stem cells and explains everything you need to know about the different storage options available.
Prof. Dr. med. Daniel Surbek
Co-Executive Director, Women’s Clinic, Inselspital Bern, and Head of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Today, families can choose from three options for storing their baby’s cord blood:
If parents choose to donate, the stem cells will no longer be available to the family. In case of need, they must consult the public registry to check the availability of compatible cells.
A choice that protects the family: the stored cells are reserved exclusively for the child or their relatives, ensuring maximum safety for their health. While the service requires a financial contribution, it offers a valuable opportunity for the family's future.
The most complete option: stem cells are stored for family use but can be donated upon request. In the event of a transplant donation, the storage costs are reimbursed. A choice that combines family protection with solidarity, with the final decision always in the hands of the family.
Hybrid storage is the perfect balance between family security and social commitment. Your child’s stem cells remain at your disposal, but they also offer the possibility to save other lives. If they match a patient, you can choose whether to donate the sample, with the assurance of full reimbursement.
The storage choice must be made before birth. You can always revoke your decision until delivery without any impact. If the cells are not requested for public donation, they remain available to the family. The final decision is always in the hands of the parents.
After birth, the umbilical cord is cut as usual. Immediately after, the remaining blood in the cord and placenta is collected by a doctor or midwife using a sterile kit. The process is completely painless and safe for both mother and newborn. The collected blood is then sent to SSCB, a laboratory specializing in the isolation and storage of stem cells. If you choose private or hybrid banking, these cells will remain available for your family for any future needs.
You have two main options for storing your baby’s umbilical cord blood: private storage or hybrid storage. With private storage, the stem cells are stored exclusively for your family’s future use, ensuring security and control. With hybrid storage, you combine the benefit of protecting your family with the opportunity to help others around the world, while still maintaining priority over the blood for you and your loved ones. Both options offer a safe and long-term solution.
If a family member is suffering from a disease treatable with a stem cell transplant, such as leukemia, it is possible to store your baby’s umbilical cord blood for future use. In case of need, you can request a targeted donation for that family member, provided there is compatibility between HLA markers. It is important to discuss this in advance with the treating physician or hematologist, who can coordinate the procedure with the cord blood bank.
Umbilical cord blood stem cells are extremely versatile and can be used to treat many diseases, including blood cancers, genetic disorders, and immune system disorders. These cells help regenerate bone marrow damaged by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, promoting healing. With private or hybrid storage, your baby’s stem cells will be ready for use in case of future treatments, offering valuable protection for the whole family.
To store your baby’s umbilical cord blood, it is important to plan in advance. Contact Swiss Stem Cells Biotech (SSCB) to request private or hybrid storage service. The SSCB team will guide you through the process, from informing your doctor or midwife to the collection and storage of the cells. By choosing this option, you offer your family long-term security.
If you are interested in hybrid umbilical cord blood donation, you can find more information on the websites of the listed hospitals:
You can find more information on the various official information websites.
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