What are my choices?Every expectant parent has 3 basic choices: 1) DONATE TO A PUBLIC CORD BLOOD BANK (or hybrid bank) 2) PRIVATELY STORE CORD BLOOD 3) DO NOT SAVE CORD BLOOD Let's explore each of these. Why donate cord blood?
Donating cord blood is free of charge. It is truly a generous act of kindness. For families who do not anticipate using their child's cord blood, public donation is an excellent option. Depending on the program, donated cord blood could be used for life-saving medical research or given to a patient seeking a stem cell match for a life-saving transplant. |
How do I donate cord blood?
Donation must be planned well in advance and you must meet certain health criteria. If you want to donate, you must talk to your doctor between the 28th and 34th week of pregnancy. Unfortunately, very few hospitals offer public donation programs. If your hospital does not offer an in-house donation program, we recommend contacting a hybrid bank.
To find an in-house public donation programs near you, click here.>> NEXT STEP: What is a hybrid bank? >> |
