How cord blood is collected for a transplant

Cord blood is one of three sources of blood-forming cells used in transplants. The other two sources are bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells.

Every family who donates their baby’s umbilical cord blood after birth gives hope to patients. It’s free and safe for the mother and baby. Blood is collected from the umbilical cord – not the baby – immediately after birth. The donated cord blood is tested, frozen and stored as a cord blood unit at a public cord blood bank for future use. It can then be listed on Be The Match Registry and is available for searching patients. Names of cord blood donors are never shared so donation is completely anonymous.

Cord blood is being used for more patients, both children and adults, although it’s used more often in children. This is because a cord blood unit has a limited number of blood-forming cells. Smaller patients, like children, usually will receive enough cells from one cord blood unit. Larger patients need more cells and will sometimes receive two or more cord blood units combined.