Q&As on Virgin Health Bank
What does Virgin Health Bank do?
We provide a dual – private and public – bank for parents-to-be who’d like to store stem cells from their newborn baby’s umbilical cord blood. By placing some of your baby’s stem cells in our private bank, they will be available if, in later life, they are needed for regenerative medicine treatments
And by placing a portion of your baby’s stem cells in our public bank you increase the likelihood of finding a matched unit for anyone who needs it, including you and your family.
Why is Virgin going into umbilical cord blood stem cell banking?
The short answer is that we, as do many scientists and doctors, passionately believe in the potential of cord blood stem cells in regenerative medicine, and the benefits of increasing the number of matched cord blood stem cell units in the public bank. By combining public and private banking we believe that more people will gain more benefits.
Why is Virgin Health Bank storing cells in both private and public banks?
At Virgin Health Bank, cord blood stem cells will be divided and stored in two units. One unit will be held in a private bank – for the sole use of you and your family – the other will be placed in our public bank. We do this because:
- Today the vast majority of cord blood stem cell transplants are currently carried out using cells from another person (an allogeneic transplant) – those cells are sourced from a public bank.
- The chances of your child needing his or her own stem cells (an autologous transplant) for any childhood condition is extremely small.
- A privately stored unit will provide a source of stem cells that could be used for potential regenerative medicine treatments in the future.
By contributing to the public bank as well as storing cells privately, you’re helping to increase the availability of matched units for allogeneic transplants for anyone who needs them, including your family.
Virgin Health Bank offers you the chance to store your baby’s cord blood stem cells privately and publicly – helping to protect your own child and others, both now and in the future.
Isn’t there already a public cord blood bank in the UK?
Yes. In a few hospitals in London, parents can arrange to donate their baby's cord blood stem cells through the Haemopoietic Stem Cells Services Division of the National Blood Service. These are called 'altruistic donations'. Once donated, the units are available to anyone who may need them. If there's a family history of inherited disease, families can store their children's cord blood stem cells through the NHS for their personal use, known as a 'directed donation'. We believe that storing cord blood stem cells in our dual – public and private – bank gives more people more benefits now, and in the future.
What are Virgin’s credentials for this?
While it’s true that Virgin has never been involved in medical healthcare, we are renowned at excelling in improving what’s available for customers. We have a laboratory that has attained a Human Tissue Authority licence and gained accreditation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. We comply with UK and EU regulatory standards, and get on-going advice from independent scientific, medical, ethical and medico-legal experts.
Is Virgin Health Bank involved in stem cell research?
No. However, Richard Branson has made a personal commitment that all proceeds from Virgin Health Bank to the Virgin Group will be donated to initiatives that are helping to fully realise the potential of cord blood stem cells.
Is Richard Branson involved in this business?
As the majority shareholder in the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson is involved in every Virgin company. As with his other companies, he’s been a driving force in making Virgin Health Bank a reality. And he really is passionate about the opportunities for stem cell transplantation and regenerative medicine, so much so that he has made a personal commitment that all proceeds from Virgin Health Bank to the Virgin Group will be donated to initiatives that are helping to fully realise the potential of cord blood stem cells.
Sir Richard Branson's message
How do I join?
Just call us on 0845 620 9665. We’re here from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. Or click on apply now and you can leave your contact details for one of our customer support advisors to call you back.
How long before my due date do I need to join?
It’s really up to you, but we recommend that you wait until after your 12-week scan. Ideally, you should have at least one month left before your due date as its best not to rush your decision, there’s some important paperwork to be completed and we need to make sure you have the collection kit in time for your baby’s birth.
Who are the Virgin Health Bank Local Advisors?
The Virgin Health Bank Local Advisors is a team wholly dedicated to working with healthcare professionals who are involved in maternity services. Each member of this team is experienced in working with NHS professionals, they have an understanding of the issues they may face and are knowledgeable about the latest scientific data in this area.
Why do I have to donate cells to the public bank?
Increasing the size of a public bank greatly increases the likelihood of more matched cord blood stem cell units being available for treatments, which is beneficial to everyone… including you and your family.
What would happen if Virgin Health Bank went out of business?
In the unlikely event of Virgin Health Bank ceasing to operate as a business there is financial provision made for the continued safe storage of all the cord blood stem cell units stored for the full 20 years of individual’s contracts with Virgin Health Bank.