Cord Blood Donation:

If you are delivering your baby at BC Women's Hospital you have the option of participating in the national cord blood collection program. BC Women’s is one of only four hospitals in Canada in which this initiative is available! Cord blood is blood from the umbilical cord and placenta that contains stem cells. These stem cells can be used to treat over 80 diseases including leukemia and lymphoma. If you donate your cord blood it will be stored in the public bank and made available for anyone in Canada or worldwide to use if they are in need of a stem cell transplant and are a match. 

There is a 30 times greater chance of the cord blood being used if it is donated to the public bank versus private banking. 

Cord blood collection is performed after the birth of your baby and after the placenta is delivered. Delayed cord clamping can still be performed. 

Cord blood donation is completely voluntary and you must enroll and complete the consent form prior to arriving at the hospital in labour. https://www.blood.ca/en/stemcells/donating-cordblood

Private cord blood banking is also available through multiple companies not affiliated with the hospital. Private cord blood banking is private pay and usually involves a collection fee as well as ongoing storage fees. According to Health Canada, there is a 1 in 20,000 (0.005%) to 1 in 250,000 (0.0004%) chance of using one’s own stem cells from a private bank.