In this section
You could save the life of someone with blood cancer right here at the Saint Mary’s Hospitals Manchester and Wythenshawe – by donating your umbilical cord blood.
If you are giving birth at Saint Mary’s Oxford Road or Wythenshawe hospitals, you can help save the life of someone with a blood cancer or blood disorder by donating your umbilical cord blood and associated tissues to the Anthony Nolan Cord Blood Programme after your baby is safely born.
The cells in cord blood may be used for potentially lifesaving transplants, as well as research and development of future therapies. We can also collect your Umbilical cord, Placenta and Amniotic sac for developing treatments.
Once your baby has been safely born, the umbilical cord will be clamped and cut as normal. Once the placenta has been delivered, one of our trained cord collectors will carefully collect your umbilical cord and placenta. They will then safely and hygienically extract the remaining cord blood and any associated tissues such as the umbilical cord or amnion. Collecting the cord blood, umbilical cord or amnion only happens after birth, when the baby is safely delivered. It is risk-free to mothers and newborns and does not interfere with your birth plan.
Why is cord blood so important?
Unlike adult stem cell donations, donated cord blood does not need to be an exact match for the person receiving it. The stem cells in cord blood are less developed than adult stem cells, making them more adaptable and increasing the chances of finding a suitable match.
Cord blood can be particularly valuable for people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, who are less likely to find a matching stem cell donor or the register.
If there is not enough cord blood for transplant, then it can still be used to support research. Researchers are studying the unique properties of cord blood to help improve stem cell transplants and develop new treatments. This means your baby’s cord blood could still contribute to life-saving research and help future patients.
Donating your cord blood
If you’re interested in donating your baby’s cord blood and associated tissues, speak to your midwife or a member of our dedicated cord blood collection team at Saint Mary’s Oxford Road or Saint Mary’s Wythenshawe hospitals. They can explain the process and answer any questions you may have.
If you have any questions about cord blood donation, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the team, using this address Cord.Collection@anthonynolan.org.