Did you know that the blood left in the umbilical cord after a baby is born could save lives? Although it is usually discarded after delivery, cord blood contains stem cells that can be used to treat dozens of life-threatening conditions.
Sadly, about 12,000 Americans each year are diagnosed with diseases that a blood stem cell transplant could potentially cure.
In 2024, Woman’s Hospital began the Woman’s Cord Blood Donation Program. Led by Ericka Seidemann and the Woman’s Research Department, this program allows patients to voluntarily donate their baby’s cord blood after delivery. As of October 2025, Woman’s has added more than 240 cord blood units to MD Anderson’s public bank.
Excitingly, one of those donations has already helped treat an adult leukemia patient in New York, making this the program’s first lifesaving match. By donating your baby’s cord blood, you could give someone else a second chance at life.
What is cord blood?
Cord blood is the blood that stays in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born. In addition to containing all the same components as regular blood, it also holds stem cells. Stem cells, which are usually found in bone marrow, have the ability to develop into many different types of cells.
Although most people produce enough stem cells naturally, some people with severe medical conditions cannot. Cord blood donation can help give these people the stem cells they need to survive and heal.
What is cord blood used for?
Cord blood contains stem cells that can be used to treat a variety of diseases, including:
- Blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma)
- Blood disorders (Sickle cell anemia)
- Immune disorders (Severe combined immunodeficiency, Hunter Syndrome)
- Metabolic disorders (Gaucher disease, Niemann-Pick disease)
- Bone marrow failure
- Autoimmune disorders
- Genetic and rare diseases
How is cord blood collected?
If you choose to donate, your doctor will collect the cord blood after delivery. Cord blood donation does not interfere with delivery or with delayed clamping. The cord blood is collected after the cord is cut. The whole process is painless and takes a few minutes.
What are the benefits of cord blood donation?
Cord blood donation has numerous benefits. In addition to saving lives, it also:
- Expands donor matches – Adding your baby’s unique cord blood increases the odds of finding matches, especially for patients with rare or diverse genetic backgrounds.
- Supports research – Donations help scientists create new therapies for different diseases
- Helps worldwide – Cord blood stem cells are adaptable and can be used across the world.
- Offers quick help – Since the collection process is quick, cord blood stem cells are available faster than traditional bone marrow donations.
Are there any risks of cord blood donation?
Donating cord blood is completely safe and does not affect you, your baby, or your delivery.
How can I donate?
To be eligible to donate, you must be at least 18 years old and pregnant with a single baby. You must also be more than 34 weeks pregnant when you deliver your baby.
Ask your physician about how to donate your cord blood after your delivery. You can also email cordblood@womans.org or call 225-231-5273.