Your cord blood donation
could be the match that saves someone's life.
Ford family story
Donated cord blood made all the difference to the Ford family. Tristan is a happy, healthy, and active two-year-old thanks to an unrelated cord blood stem cell donor.
Continue reading the Ford family story ➜
Am I eligible to donate cord blood?
If you plan to deliver at any of the listed hospitals, check your eligibility with a free 2-minute questionnaire.
Make all the difference and register today.
Our cord blood bank should be as diverse as our country
Many people have difficulty finding a stem cell match because of a lack of ethnic diversity in stem cell registries around the world. We need cord blood donors from as many ethnic and mixed-race backgrounds as possible.
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Many patients in need of a stem cell transplant will only find a match from a public cord blood bank.
Every year, hundreds of Canadian patients wait for a lifesaving stem cell transplant. Some diseases, such as leukemia, are not treatable using your own stem cells because the disease is already in the stem cells. In Canada, the search for a donor may start with family members, but less than 25% of patients find a match within their family.
Health Canada encourages public cord blood banking, as it’s 30 times more likely to be used than privately banked cord blood. Donating to a public cord blood bank also increases the volume and diversity of cord blood units available for patients – making it easier for those who otherwise can’t find a match.
- Some diseases are not treatable using one’s own (autologous) stem cells because the disease is already in the stem cells – i.e., leukemia.
- Most stem cell patients find a match outside their family. (Approximately 25 per cent of patients in need of a stem cell transplant will find a match within their own family.)
- Many patients in need of a stem cell transplant will only find a match from a public cord blood bank.
- Health Canada encourages public cord blood banking, as it’s 30 times more likely to be used than privately banked cord blood.
A seemingly small act can have a big impact
The stem cells from your cord blood can treat over 80 diseases and disorders — including leukemia, lymphoma, and aplastic anemia. By donating your cord blood, you can help save the lives of other Canadians and people around the world.
Where can I donate cord blood?
• The Ottawa Hospital (General campus) in Ottawa, Ontario
• The William Osler Health System’s Brampton Civic Hospital in Brampton, Ontario
• The Alberta Health Services’ Lois Hole Hospital for Women in Edmonton, Alberta
•The BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia
Cord blood units collected at these hospitals are building Canada's national inventory for any patient in need, in Canada or around the world.
Book your appointment.
Become a cord blood donor
Get informed
Read about the donation process, important registration information, understand the FAQs and take the questionnaire before proceeding to register.
Get informed
Register consent and donate online
Register and consent to donate online
Take the 2-minute questionnaire to confirm your eligibility.
If you are not able to complete your registration online, return your completed consent form to your healthcare provider during one of your prenatal visits or bring it with you to the hospital on your delivery day. Tell your nurse you wish to donate your cord blood.
Donate cord blood
Donate your cord blood
Cord blood is collected after your baby and placenta have been safely delivered. If the amount of blood left has enough cells to qualify for a stem cell transplant, it will be processed, tested, and stored for a patient in need. One of our staff members will visit you to collect additional information before you leave the hospital.
Donating cord blood to Canadian Blood Services' Cord Blood Bank is free and easy. The process is safe, painless and poses no risk to parent or baby.
• The Ottawa Hospital (General campus) in Ottawa, Ontario
• The William Osler Health System’s Brampton Civic Hospital in Brampton, Ontario
• The Alberta Health Services’ Lois Hole Hospital for Women in Edmonton, Alberta
•The BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia
Cord blood units collected at these hospitals are building Canada's national inventory for any patient in need, in Canada or around the world.
Donating cord blood to Canadian Blood Services' Cord Blood Bank is free and easy. The process is safe, painless and poses no risk to parent or baby.