How simple and amazing it is to donate cord blood

For many people, a blood stem cell transplant is the last and best hope of recovery for over 80 diseases and disorders. With approximately 75 per cent of Canadians requiring a stem cell transplant relying on finding a match outside of their immediate families, there is an ongoing need for more cord blood donations. The process of collecting and transplanting is non-invasive and has the potential to change and save lives all over the world.

The cord blood donation process

• The placenta and umbilical cord from a healthy newborn baby contains cord blood which is filled with life-saving stem cells.
• Once the placenta is delivered and the umbilical cord is cut, it is passed to the cord blood bank staff waiting outside your delivery room.
• The cord blood is then sent to a Canadian Blood Services processing facility to test samples.
• Donations that meet requirements are stored in the national public Cord Blood Bank.

When a patient needs a stem cell transplant, a simple blood transfusion is all it takes to change a life. Stem cell transplants can treat over 80 diseases and disorders including leukemia, lymphoma and aplastic anemia.

Donations that do not meet requirements can be donated to research which might one day treat a variety of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and spinal cord injuries.

Brampton Civic is one of four hospitals in Canada to provide this service. To learn more about cord blood donations or to register to donate, visit the Canadian Blood Services website.