Cord Blood Donation

UNC REX Healthcare is proud to be a participating collection site for the Carolinas Cord Blood Bank (CCBB) at the Duke University Medical Center. The CBB is one of the largest and most respected cord blood banks in the world. The CBB is also listed on the Be The Match Registry.

Why Donate Cord Blood?

Cord blood is the blood left over in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby has been delivered. It has all the features of regular blood, but is also rich in stem cells and young blood cells. These cells could help save the life of patients with leukemia, lymphoma or other life-threatening diseases.

Cord blood is immunologically tolerant, which means it can be transplanted without being a full match. This makes it a great option for patients who are unable to find a match in their families or on other donor registries.

What to Expect

Cord blood donation is a safe procedure for both mother and baby. The process to become a donor is simple, free and completely confidential.

If you choose to become a donor, when you go into labor your nurse will take blood samples for the bank at the same she collects other blood samples and inserts your IV. You will also receive a tag that reads, “I want to become a cord blood donor,” to help identify you as a donor during the delivery process.

After the baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, the cord blood is taken from the placenta by your physician or a CCBB technician. The blood is then transported and stored at the CCBB until it is needed for transplants or medical research.