Donating cord blood
IMPORTANT – Please read before continuing
As outlined in the Statement released on June 17, 2022, Canadian Blood Services has temporarily suspended processing and storing cord blood units for transplantation due to supply chain shortages. Cord blood collections will continue, however, and any units collected during this temporary suspension will only be used for Other Uses, defined as:
- quality assurance activities such as training, validation, product/process improvement, and
- our Cord Blood for Research Program.
If you consent to donate your baby’s cord blood during this temporary period, it will only be used for Other Uses, which includes research if the “research opt-in" box is checked on the completed Permission to Collect consent form. If it is determined that your baby’s cord blood cannot be used for these purposes, we will discard it or return it to your hospital to be managed according to approved hospital policies.
Following receipt of your completed e-registration you will be sent detailed information by email requesting that you respond to acknowledge your understanding and confirm your agreement to proceed with donation during this temporary period. If you do not acknowledge the additional information sent to you and you arrive at the hospital in active labour, collection will not take place. If you do not see the message in your inbox, please be sure to check your Spam folder. If you do not wish to register due to this temporary change, please do not complete and submit the form. If you have already registered and would no longer like to donate, please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
Join Canada’s Lifeline
Take the cord blood registration questionnaire to confirm your eligibility.
Public cord blood banking versus private banking
There’s so much to do and so many decisions to make when expecting a baby. Deciding whether to store cord blood and whether to do so in a public or private cord blood bank can feel like a challenge. We often recommend families start by discussing it with their health care provider.
Learn more about public cord blood banking versus private banking
Recorded information session:
“Public cord blood donation: debunking the myths”
The collection process starts with registration and a signed Permission to Collect consent form. Donated cord blood is collected immediately after the safe delivery of the baby and placenta/umbilical cord. We do not interfere with the process of labour and delivery.
We encourage you to speak with your physician, midwife or nurse about donating your baby’s cord blood. Ask if they can provide you with information on public cord blood donation during your prenatal visits. Their guidance is important to help you make this important decision. Let them know you are considering donating your baby’s cord blood.
Cord blood donation eligibility and registration information
We recruit healthy volunteer expectant mothers to donate cord blood at four designated hospitals in Canada. Donors from all ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to donate cord blood. A diverse public cord blood bank means we have better chances of finding a matching donor for a patient in need.
