Why is this gift so special? Stem cells from the umbilical cord blood are known to treat over 80 diseases.  They have now been used in over 10,000 transplants worldwide and research is continually expanding.  Who knows what medical miracles these stem cells could help achieve in the future!

* Trash it. This is what usually happens. What a waste.
* Store it for possible use by you, your child or a member of your family.
* Donate it for public storage so that it can be used for research or to treat or save the life of an unrelated person.

Cord blood contains hematopoietic (blood-forming) cells. According to the National Marrow Donor Program, “Each year thousands of patients are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases that can be treated by rebuilding the patient’s hematopoietic (blood cell producing) system with blood-forming cells. Umbilical cord blood is being studied as one of the sources of blood cells.” So why throw cord blood away when it can be put to good use treating life-threating disease? Consider,

• Donating cord blood is medically safe. The cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord after your baby is born.
• Donation does not change the birth process.
• Donating cord blood is free to you and completely confidential.

Here’s how to get started:

–> Learn more about cord blood donation. The NMDP has tons of information including a FAQ, eligibility guidelines, participating cord blood banks and hospitals and more.

–> Register to donate between your 28th and 35th week of pregnancy.

Some expectant families may be considering storage for private use.  We have a quiz that can help you make the choice between private storage and public storage (donation).

Think about it. Talk about it with your partner. Pray about it. And consider what a blessing your child’s birth can be to some other mother’s child. Regardless of your decision, remember that there are many ways you can donate life.

Learn about cord blood harvesting >>

The umbilical cord used to be thrown away when a baby was born.  But these days, blood from the umbilical cord can be collected after your baby’s birth and donated to a public cord blood bank to help someone with a life-threatening disease!

Donating is a simple thing to do. Receiving can be the gift of life.

If you were to choose to donate your child’s umbilical cord blood, your labor and delivery are not affected at all. No blood is taken from your baby or yourself, only from the umbilical cord itself once your baby is born.

Get information to help you make an informed decision

• Cord blood is changing lives today – Learn about how umbilical cord blood offers hope
• Options for cord blood – Understand your options for donation
• Cord blood donation FAQs – Find answers to your questions about umbilical cord blood donation

Learn how to donate your Umbilical Cord Blood

• How to donate cord blood – A step-by-step overview of the donation process, including your role, how cord blood is collected in the hospital and what happens at the public cord blood bank to your umbilical cord blood.
• Learn if you can donate – See medical eligibility guidelines for donation. Some people can and some can’t.
• Where to donate – Find out if your hospital works with a public cord blood bank and whether there is a public bank in your city

NMDP commitment to cord blood donation

For 20 years, the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) has matched people (donors) and patients to facilitate bone marrow transplants and help save lives. Today, the NMDP is dedicated to partnering with cord blood banks all around the world to build a strong network and inventory of high-quality cord blood units available to any patient who needs a transplant.

In 2006, the NMDP was selected by the U.S. federal government to operate the nation’s Cord Blood Coordinating Center. We are conducting a research study on cord blood transplantation and patient outcomes. (Learn more about our network of banks in the United States — listed in Where to Donate — as well as international cord blood registries.)