Question about donating cord blood. What happens if we donate it? Do we then have preference if needed?

Question

We can afford to save it if we need to, but we would rather spend the money on private school, etc...  So has anyone donated cord blood?  Tell me about that versus privately storing it.

Answer 1

I am reasonably certain that we donated cord blood.  At least, that was my intention and I think I signed a form permitting it.  I had a c-section - things are very fuzzy.  All of which answers your question basically.  If it did happen, it was a donation and that was the last we heard of it, the same way as when you donate blood in a blood drive.  You don't get preference if it's needed - it is a bank, available to anyone based on need.  If you want your own cord blood saved for you, you need to pay the money to have it stored privately.  If you need a blood transfusion, you get blood from a blood bank whether or not you've ever donated blood.  Same with cord blood.

Answer 2

I live in Cleveland, Ohio. You donate the cord blood but have, if needed, blood donated from another person that matches. The service is free here. If you are taking a childbirth class at the hospital where you will deliver I would ask the instructor about what the hospital offers. It all depends on where you live.

Answer 3

No...if you donate you dont get preference.  Its like donating blood...once you donate it goes to storage bank and used when needed.  If you could donate it and still have access to do dont you think anyone would do that rather then paying to store it?

Answer 4

we saved the cord blood, did not donate though.....