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Overview
When a woman gives birth, a little blood is left in the umbilical cord after the cord is clamped. Unless the baby's family decides to donate the blood, the cord is treated as medical waste and is thrown away. Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which can be used to treat dozens of cancers, disorders of the blood, bone marrow diseases, immune system disorders and metabolic diseases. When a donation has too few cells to use as a transplant, the cord blood is used in cancer research projects. With a little planning, your cord can help save lives.
Preparation
Prepare to donate. According to the National Marrow Donor Program, moms-to-be should start planning their donations before their 34th week of pregnancy so there is time find the nearest participating hospital or blood bank, and to get forms signed, questionnaires completed and arrangements to transport the donation made.
Donation kit
Eligibility
Find out if you are eligible to donate. Chronic or infectious illnesses such as sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, malaria, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis will make you ineligible. Most states have a minimum donation age of 18; in some states it is 16. As in a normal whole blood donation, if you have recently been tattooed or had body piercings, used drugs, had sex with someone who uses drugs or traveled to certain countries, you could be ineligible.
Cord blood and its stem cells
Where to Donate
Find out if your hospital collects cord blood donations by checking the National Marrow Donor Program website (see Resources below) and reaching your hospital's blood bank at the number provided. Your hospital will send you a questionnaire and consent form that should be completed and returned well in advance of your delivery date.
Removing cord blood from cord, placenta
In the Delivery Room
On delivery day, remind the team that you are donating your cord blood so they have all the materials they need to collect the blood and store it. After your baby is born, the umbilical cord is clamped, and the blood that remains in the umbilical vein is removed to a sterile container and labeled. A member of your delivery team will take a blood sample from you to make sure that you are free of infectious disease. Blood is not taken from your baby. Within a day or two your eligible cord blood donation is delivered to the blood bank.
Cord blood donation
At the Blood Bank
Cord blood is used primarily for transplants, so it is tested carefully for infectious diseases. The blood bank will also test to see if there are enough stem cells for a transplant and to determine tissue type to enable it to be matched to a recipient. If the donation does not have enough stem cells, it will be used for a variety of cancer and other research projects. After testing and typing, your cord blood donation is stored in liquid nitrogen. Because your donation is entered into a national registry, a person across the country might be treated with your baby's cord blood. Donations are identified with a number only, so your privacy is ensured.
