Cord Blood Stem Cells Information

Where can I find out about donating cord blood?

My husband and I were discussing cord blood banking and came across the idea of donating the blood for use where it is already needed instead of keeping it for personal use that might never be needed. Does anyone know where we can find info on this? Has anyone else done this?

Public Comments

1. Check with the hospital where you will be giving birth. Some hospitals have certain organization that they do "business" with, but all hospitals will have information on cord blood banks.
2. I did a research paper on cord blood and even though it is not a new procedure technology is still kind of new on it. The process of saving the blood is very difficult. As soon as you give birth it has to be rushed and stored in a certain way immediatly. Because of this fact not many hospitals have partaken in saving it yet. My guess would be if you go to a hospital near a Metropolitan area your chances are greater. Anyways, I would check with the hospital no matter what! If you do donate good for you guys! That is great. I find it appauling that people will pay tons of money to store and nothing ever probably come of it. Unless there is a known illness in the family and chances are it will be needed why waste the chance of it helping another person live. I applaude you for even considering it. Next time I give birth I am checking into it as well. Spread the word! The more people know about this technology the more readily available it will become.
3. "Currently the options for publicly-donating cord blood are limited. There are certain regions of the country where this option is available. For more information on public banking, visit the Bone Marrow Foundation at www.bonemarrow.org " Hope this helps. I'm planning on looking into this myself, but haven't checked it out any further than finding who to contact. Actually... that site didn't help me at all. *shakes an angry fist at her doctors office* Try here to find your hospital: http://www.marrow.org/ABOUT/NMDP_Network/Cord_Blood_Banks/CB_Participating_Hospitals/nmdp_cord_blood_hospitals.pl "If you are unable to locate your delivering hospital in the list below, you may contact Cryobanks International at 1-800-869-8608. Donations are accepted from anywhere in the Continental United States. Donors must meet Cryobanks International's eligibility requirements and register with Cryobanks International between their 28th and 35th week of pregnancy." Good luck!