A method of preserving an umbilical cord is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a segment of an umbilical cord mincing the segment of the umbilical cord into cord tissue pieces admixing the cord tissue pieces with a cryogenic composition comprising a cryoprotectant and a protein to form a mixture shaking the mixture for a duration of no shorter than 20 minutes and no longer than 40 minutes and cryopreserving the mixture.