Cord Blood Question

[JWills]

I cannot afford, nor do I see it benefiting my situation, to bank my daughter's cord blood when she is born. However, I was curious to know if you could donate it for reasearch, or whatever? Does this cost anything? Has anyone on these boards donated their babies' cord blood? How did you feel about it?

[lovin3]

Sorry that I don't know the exact specifics, but I do believe that you can donate your cord blood to a public bank free of charge. My brother's daughter's cord blood was banked free of charge because her mom has lymphoma- something about they store it for free if the child or specific family members have a disease on the list. Personally, I haven't done enough research into it to say if it is anything that I'd ever consider doing.

[AOO23]

Yes you can donate it, I read somewhere that if the child has a disease the changes of that child using his/hers cord blood are very rare. But It is usually helpful to family members if they needed it.

[brandie1127]

We are donating ours all you do is call the bank - I can get that info for you and they take care of the rest after the baby is born. Cord blood contains stem cells. Stem cells are regenerative so they are finding so many uses for it. Parcasins(sp?) is a big one. Childhood luekemia is virtually cured by the cord blood. There are so many others currently and so many more currently be tested, heart disease, cancers, brain diseases such as Parcasins, Altztimers ( I have no clue how to spell any of these) dimentia, etc....

So since I personally cannot afford to bank it ( I really wish I could!) I see no reason why someone else shouldn't benefit from it - besides I'm blood type O - the universal donor.

[mammawazz]

Brandie, Can you get me the details to donate it I didn't do anything with my first one's but I'm blood type O and I think it would be the best thing to do since I can't afford to bank it either. (I didn't know that you could donate it or I would have with my first why doesn't anyone tell you these things???)

[brandie1127]

This is for the New Jersey Cord Blood Bank but maybe if you call them they will tell you who to call in your state. 1-866-SAVCORD the website is www.communitybloodservices.org email cordblood@cbsblood.org

New Jersey pioneered donating cord blood in 2005, since then many other states have jumped on board but its a newer thing thats probably why you haven't heard of it. They gave me a pamphlet on it at my first OB appointment.

I hope it is available in your state. I think its important.

For everyone that doesn't know a whole lot about it. I'm going to quote the pamphlet.

"Stem cell transplants are used successfully in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgekins disease, sickle cell anemia, and various other cancers, blood diseases, heriditary conditions and immune system disorders. In the future they may be used to fight lung cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Parkinsons, AIDS and a score of other diseases"

Did you know if you have a child that has leukemia you can have another child and use that cord blood to treat the first childs leukemia? Its really amazing! If you are O- it is VERY IMPORTANT because you can only recieve blood and other transplants from O- people. ( very rare blood type) So it would help your child and you possible in the future to bank your childs cord blood. But it is so expensive!

[djasinski]

I just had a baby 6 wks ago and donated her cord blood to a public bank at no cost to me. I just told the Dr before I had my daughter that is what I wanted to do. I think it is a great thing to do.

[dogmom89]

Just wanted to let the moms out there know that the bank we have chosen to use has not only payment plans, but a registry so that people can donate towards the cost of the banking. I never thought we'd be able to afford it, but after looking into it, I am really surprised at how affordable it is. It's ViaCord, their website has pricing options right on there. Just wanted to put my two cents(hehe) into the pot and let ya'll know. ~Lauren

[appd00]

I found a coupon website that saved me $250 at CBR (Cord Blood Registry)
www.cbr-coupon.com

[craftyashley]

Private banks are extremely expensive- and there is a very small chance that you will ever need it. Donate it to a public bank- it's free.
The cord blood bank has benefited my family. My uncle has crone's disease, and has been on medication for a long time. Apparently this medication had caused him to need a bone marrow transplant. However, no one was a match. He then contracted an infection over Christmas and we were all worried he wouldn't make it. He has 4 kids and 7 amazing grandkids- but two matches were found in the public cord bank where he lives. It saved his life, and we are all extremely grateful. I was unaware of the public banking when my twins were born, but now that I know about it, I will be banking any future kid's cord blood to help another family.