How Can I Make A Cord Blood Donation?
Every year, thousands of individuals are diagnosed with harmful, life-threatening disorders that can only be cured by re-establishing their blood cell producing system by using blood-forming cells. The use of umbilical cord blood has been proven effective in this process and in treating many other diseases.
Although cord blood helps save many lives, its insufficiency causes more complications, and even death, to many patients. Hence, mothers who are about to give birth are asked and advised to donate their umbilical cord blood. Cord blood donation is proven to be medically safe, completely confidential, and is free of charge. Donating cord blood is easy and hassle-free as the umbilical cord and placenta are normally just thrown away after the birthing process.
Classification and procedure
Cord blood donation can be classified according to the purpose of the donor. The mother can give her baby's cord blood for public donation so anyone in need of a transplant can use it, for directed donation where a family member or close relative has the advantage of using the cord blood, or for private use where the donor is eligible to use the cord blood for a later personal use.
If you are interested in making a cord blood donation , look for a certified participating hospital in your area first. But because this procedure is not yet fully developed, some medical centers, especially the small ones, may not be able to accommodate and process your donation. If your community does not have a cord blood bank, you can look for certified participating institutions in the Internet. You can also contact the major hospitals, medical centers, or university health clinics in your state to know if they conduct and accept cord blood donations .
As long as you are a woman, at least 18 years of age, and generally in good health, you are allowed to make a cord blood donation . A few days before your delivery, ideally by the 34 th week, you can already contact a participating hospital or a cord blood bank to let them know of your plan to donate cord blood. The cord blood bank staff will let you fill out a consent form agreeing to their terms and policies. You will also have to submit a maternal and family health history document to confirm your health eligibility. Finally, you will be asked to provide a small blood sample to test for any infectious disease. As soon as you have completed these requirements, you will just have to wait for your birthing date to perform the cord blood donation .
After the delivery of your baby, your umbilical cord blood will be collected. The cord blood will be frozen and be kept for cord blood banking and future use. Doctors worldwide inquire at the National Marrow Donor Program Registry of cord blood units and donors to look for cord blood that will match their patients' needs. Once a match is found, the cord blood transfusion will be performed on the patient for better and fast recovery.