Public and private cord blood banks
When thinking about whether to donate your cord blood, it is important to understand the difference between the NHS Cord Blood Bank and privately owned facilities.
The NHS Cord Blood Bank
We are a public cord blood bank and do not charge you to collect, test or to store your donation.
Cord blood donations to us are made available for public use and are not kept specifically for individuals or their families.
Should a cord blood transplant be necessary for you or your family, the registries will be searched for the most appropriate stem cell unit with the best tissue match, regardless of its source.
This could be the one you donated to us. However, if your cord blood has already been issued to another patient for transplant, it will not be available for your use.
The difference between public and private cord banks
Your decision to donate
If cord blood is donated publicly and several years later the donor requires a transplant, a public bank will always provide the best possible matched cord. This includes the original donation, providing it has not already been used for another patient.
The choice to donate is one that must be based on good information and advice and so if you require any further information on our service please contact us.
