How to Donate an Umbilical Cord for Stem Cell Research

by Paul Dohrman

Overview

According to Viacord Core Blood and Research, umbilical cord donations are used to treat 80 different diseases---and growing. You can help increase this number by donating your umbilical cord at the time of your child's birth. Note that you may not have control over whether a donated umbilical cord is used for directly saving someone's life or for research. Facilities that harvest the umbilical cord stem cells tend to supply both patients and researchers with stem cells. A research hospital may be more likely to use them for research than a blood bank would.

Step 1

Find a local hospital or a public cord blood bank interested in such a donation. Technically, the umbilical cord itself is not of interest, but instead the stem cells in the cord's blood. Unfortunately, this search may take time. Such facilities are few---but growing in number. The Marrow.org and Viacord.com links in the Resources section below may be of help in your search. Or call Cryobanks at 800-869-8608.
Step 2

Visit the bank or hospital at your 34th week of pregnancy (a half-month from the due date). They will take a blood sample from you to determine if you have any blood problems that would disqualify you as a donor.
Step 3

Fill out their consent form during this visit, officially granting them permission to take the donation. From hereon, the matter is in the hands of your doctor, who will save the cord upon the baby's delivery.

Overview