Cord blood donation program

Every year, thousands of people are diagnosed with diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma and other blood disorders that may be treated and even cured with a cord blood or bone marrow transplant. For bone marrow transplants, doctors look for donors among a patient's family, friends, community and through bone marrow registries to find a match. However, only about 30 percent of those in need will find a compatible match — even fewer among non-Caucasian patients.

Additionally, donating bone marrow is a painful process for the donor. Donating cord blood is painless and the blood would be thrown away if not put to use. Cord blood donations add to the registry of blood and bone marrow transplant units available, enhancing the options for people in need that are seeking a match that could save their life.

The Medical Center created the first cord blood donation program in New England. We desire to educate expecting parents about their options for cord blood banking and to offer cord blood donation to the public bank at Cord for Life. Parents who cannot donate to public banking efforts are encouraged to donate cord blood for research being done at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and other affiliated labs.

Cord blood has become a valuable resource for studies on diabetes, HIV, human immune system function, and other disease states and conditions. This research has the potential to benefit not only scientific knowledge and progress, but also future people that are in need of treatment. After the baby is delivered and separated from the umbilical cord and placenta, the cord blood is collected in a donation bag.

For blood sent to public donation for transplant, the blood is "typed," identified by its genetic characteristics and entered in a database similar to that used to match donated organs with patients in need.

It is a great reward when we learn that one of the UMass Memorial cord blood units has been identified as a potentially lifesaving match for a patient out there in the world. Our first match went to a 7-year-old in Italy, followed by many other units that went to patients of all ages in the United States and beyond.

Even if the donation cannot be used for transplant, it can be used for research to answer important questions about transplants and how the body develops. Cord blood collected and sent for research has only minimal information attached to it so that it is not able to be connected back to the parent or child.

Almost anyone can donate, and all ethnic groups are encouraged to donate. While finding a match can be difficult for any patient in need, it is especially tough for those from certain minority groups and mixed-race backgrounds.

In order to donate for human transplantation, the parent must:. While You are in the Hospital When you get to the hospital, tell the nurse that you are donating umbilical cord blood. While you are giving birth, everyone will be focused on you and your baby. After your baby is born: The umbilical cord is clamped. Blood from the umbilical cord and placenta is put into a sterile bag. The blood is put into the bag either before or after the placenta is delivered, depending upon the procedure of the cord blood bank.

The collected blood, called a cord blood unit, is given a special number and stored temporarily. The cord blood unit is between one-third to a little over one-half cup or 90— cc.

Usually the day after your baby is born, you will be asked for a sample of your blood to be tested for infectious diseases. This blood is taken from you only, not your baby.

Shortly after your baby's birth, the cord blood unit is sent to the public cord blood bank. What Happens at the Cord Blood Bank After the cord blood unit arrives at the cord blood bank, it is: Checked to make sure it has enough blood-forming cells for a transplant. If there are too few cells, the cord blood unit may be used for research to improve the transplant process for future patients or to investigate new therapies using cord blood, or discarded.

Checked to be sure it is free from contamination. Tissue typed and listed on the registry of the C. The registry is a listing of potential marrow donors and donated cord blood units. When a patient needs a transplant, the registry is searched to find a matching marrow donor or cord blood unit.

Frozen in a liquid nitrogen freezer and stored, so if the unit is selected as a match for a patient needing a transplant, it will be available. Protecting Your Privacy After You Have Donated You and your baby's personal information are always kept private by the public cord blood bank. Thank You for Considering This Generous Gift Taking time to consider helping another person when you are already busy planning for the birth of your child is greatly appreciated. We are moving into a new era of cell-based therapies worldwide, and we are deeply involved in carrying out research to supply stem cell products and services to academic and biopharmaceutical researchers for the development of new cell-based therapies for the treatment of a broad range of diseases, including cancer, immune and genetic disorders.

We are also carrying out our own internal research programs with cord blood stem cells to develop therapies targeting cancer and immune disorders and exploring opportunities in the new field of regenerative medicine, using cell therapy for the treatment of age-related disorders such as cardiovascular, neurological and autoimmune problems. Screen Shot at 2. SDBB has full accreditation by the AABB Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies for cell therapy activities related to cord blood, including collection, processing, storage and distribution.

You are here Home » Types of Donations. Cord Blood Donation Program. What Happens to the Donated Cord Blood? A new birth provides hope for others. Your privacy is protected. A cord for the community. Why Should I Donate? Your decision can give someone else a tomorrow.

A new birth provides diversity. Why is Cord Blood Useful? A new birth provides hope for a cure. Donate Blood. Donor Programs Meet Blood Donors. Blood Drives Donor Centers.