How to Donate Cord Blood to a Public Bank
Public cord blood donation is free, voluntary, and adds your sample to a registry that helps patients worldwide. Here's exactly how to set it up.
Step 1: Confirm your hospital participates
Public donation requires a participating hospital. The U.S. National Marrow Donor Program (Be The Match) maintains a list of partner hospitals. If yours isn't on the list, you may still be able to use a mail-in program through a public bank that accepts remote donations.
Step 2: Register and complete health screening
Public banks typically ask you to register between weeks 28 and 34 of pregnancy. You'll complete a detailed health and family history questionnaire and consent forms.
Step 3: Collection at delivery
Hospital staff collect the cord blood after delivery using the bank's kit. There's nothing for you to do beyond signing consent.
Step 4: Follow-up
Some banks request a small maternal blood sample and a brief follow-up health check on baby. After that, the sample either enters the registry or, if it doesn't meet criteria, may be used for research with your consent.