About Cord Blood Donation

Stem cells found in the umbilical cord and placenta are particularly useful because they have the capability to change into other types of cellular tissue. These cells can be used to treat such diseases as leukemia, other forms of cancer, brain tumors, sickle cell disease and osteoporosis. While some patients are lucky enough to have family members with matching stem cells who can donate bone marrow, most are not. Using cord blood increases the possibility that these patients will find a stem cell match.

Immediately after birth, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. The donated blood is then withdrawn from the cord and placenta. At this point, the umbilical cord is no longer connected to the baby and the baby is not affected at all by the procedure. Blood must be taken 10 to 15 minutes after birth for best results. If you are interested in donating cord blood, you should discuss your wish with your obstetrician before the 34th week of your pregnancy as your obstetrician will be the person who collects the cord blood. Ask if the hospital works with a cord blood bank. If it does, your doctor and the hospital may coordinate the details with the cord bank without your assistance or you may be sent a donation kit to give to your doctor before delivery. Ask your doctor if she or the hospital will charge you a fee for collecting cord blood. Donations can still be made if the hospital doesn't have a relationship with a cord blood bank, but you will have to make some of the arrangements yourself. Cryobanks International, listed in the Resource section, sends couriers to pick-up donations throughout the country. If you would like Cryobanks to accept your donation, you will need to make arrangements before the 35th week of your pregnancy.

When the cord blood donation reaches the bank, it will be screened for the presence of genetic problems or diseases. If it passes this screening, it will be used for donation. If not, it will be used for research, provided that you indicated that it could be used for this purpose. Information about blood cleared for donation will be placed on a special registry that is used by doctors in need of stem cells for their patients.

Blood donated to a cord blood bank is not saved for use by your family. If you wish to store cord blood for your family, you must make arrangements with a private cord blood bank. There is usually a significant initial charge and a yearly storage fee if you choose to use a private cord blood bank.

Donations from diverse donors are urgently needed by cord blood banks. In order to find a good stem cell match for a patient, cells must match as closely as possible. Since members of the same racial or ethnic group are more likely to share the same types of cells, donations are most successful if obtained from these groups. Banks particularly need donations from Alaska natives, Asians, Pacific Islanders, native Hawaiians, American Indians, Blacks and African Americans.