Updated on: 4/16/20

Dear Patient,

Allow us to take a moment to address how we are handling the ever-changing recommendations surrounding COVID-19.  This is a challenging time for all of us. While we are being advised to distance ourselves socially, maybe we can all try to feel some peace in the sense that we are all in this together.

We want to assure you, Pittsburgh Cryobank is continuing daily operations as long as authorities allow.  We are open to perform cryopreservation for any patient undergoing cancer or other time- sensitive treatments.  Please call the lab to make arrangements, as we have special procedures in place during this time.

Please know that sperm and/ or embryos you have stored with us are safe.  Specimens are stored in liquid nitrogen tanks that are monitored daily by laboratory personnel.  These tanks and the specimens stored in them will continue to be monitored daily by laboratory personnel according to long standing policies and procedures for as long as we are all coping with the effects of this global pandemic and beyond.

Rest assured we are committed to providing you with the care and attention you deserve.  As a team, we have decided that anything we can do virtually will be handled as such, and so most of our team is working remotely.  Therefore, we are not open for non- essential testing or for paperwork completion, as we are limiting contact with others.  Since we are a laboratory and reproductive tissue storage facility, we have activities that need to be dealt with by laboratory personnel on-site, and those activities are continuing to be handled by on-site personnel.  These personnel are following CDC and state of Pennsylvania recommendations to prevent infection with and the spread of COVID-19.

We know your planned treatment is probably postponed because your physician’s office may not be seeing any non-emergency patients.  That is frustrating for those trying to build a family right now, but it is the absolute right thing to do.  Due to the changing restrictions regarding COVID-19, we will be continuing these measures through May 1st, 2020, and will reassess our plan then.  While this was a hard decision to make, we believe it was the right call.  We are truly sorry for this inconvenience.

As always, please continue to reach out to us with any questions and concerns.  The best way to do this currently is by email to pittinfo@cryobio.com or by phone at 412-687-0335.  Messages will be returned in a timely manner.

Thank you and take care!

The team at Pittsburgh Cryobank