Cord Donation Frustration

**bubhub** · 13-09-2010 09:41

So, mlester, did you donate to the PUBLIC cord blood bank??

Or did you donate privately and pay for private storage?

**RourkesMumma** · 14-09-2010 09:37

I dontated my cord blood to a public hospital who will use it for research. I delivered my baby at a public hospital also.
As I explained in my very first post, I'm not interested in storing it privately- I want to help the development of stem cell research, not keep it for ourselves.

**bubhub** · 14-09-2010 10:23

That's great news that you were able to donate publicly at another public hospital - about time the system was expanded.

I'll look at getting the info on our pages updated as soon as possible.

**RourkesMumma** · 15-09-2010 09:03

Would be great if you updated your info, and I'm sure my contact that I listed earlier wouldn't mind if you called him in regards to having his details listed also! The more available the information the better!!
I've also just sent a letter to ABMDR regaring my recent experience in the hope that they will update their website details too. I'd think that they would have alot more donors if they had a listing for South Australia

**bubhub** · 15-09-2010 11:06

I've updated the info to say that it's worthwhile viewers contacting their hospital to see if a collection kit can be sent.

As we get more info, we'll keep updating that page.

**RourkesMumma** · 06-02-2011 08:59

DS is now 7 months old, how time flies!! Seems like only yesterday that I donated my cord blood, oh yea- and gave birth

Anyway, I received a letter back in October after writing one to the Executive Officer of ABMDR (Aust. Bone Marrow Donor Registry) who is linked to AusCord (the National Cord Blood Collection and Banking Network)....

Was a very complicated reply, but in essence explained that they only operate donations/collections from specific 'participant' hospitals in Qld, NSW and Vic (not SA).

They wrote that for the most part donations are for transplantation, not research (like in my case), for family use or Private banking. The letter was ended with "I appreciate your suggestions and we will work on the implementation of some of those within the jurisdiction of public cord blood collection and banking".

So I'm still wondering where all the people on TV and the media are that I've seen harp on over the years about the 'lack of public stem cell donations to research', and 'how fantastic are stem cells' and 'stem cells, stem cells, stem cells....'.

Maybe they don't need them so much after all????

Am left thinking that next time I'll avoid the hassle and just bin it like the rest.

**zombiekitty** · 06-02-2011 09:13

Originally Posted by Fruit Tingles

IF you don't end up being able to donate, look into delayed cord clamping, that way your babies cord blood will not go to waste.
I was going to donate, but am unable to at my hospital, so I'm resorting to delayed cord clamping. Your baby will benefit from the cord blood.

You can do both