Cord Blood Donation Saves Life: Mum’s Story
NHS Blood and Transplant Reaches Milestone in Cord Blood Banking
Table of Contents
the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has announced it has issued its 1,000th unit of donated umbilical cord blood for stem cell transplants. This achievement highlights the growing importance of cord blood banking in providing potentially life-saving treatments.
Cord Blood Bank Capacity and Global Standing
Established in 1996 in Filton, Bristol, the NHSBT cord blood bank is now the fourth largest in the world, currently holding nearly 20,000 donations available for clinical use. NHSBT reports that cord blood stem cells can be safely stored for many years, offering a valuable resource for patients in need of transplants.
The Donation Process and Storage
Women giving birth at select hospitals – including University College Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, and St George’s Hospital - have the prospect to donate cord blood after delivery of the placenta. The collected cord blood is then cryopreserved, frozen and stored at -196°C until a suitable match is identified for a patient requiring a stem cell transplant.
Importance of Cord Blood Donation
According to Alex Ross, Head of NHS Blood and Transplant’s Cord Blood Bank, “your baby may be grown up by the time they save a life, perhaps even older than the recipient – it’s a very special way to donate.” This underscores the long-term impact and potential life-saving benefits of cord blood donation.