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cord blood - public donations

vamomtobevamomtobe member
in D.C. Area Babies
Anyone donate their cord blood who didn't deliver at Fairfax Inova??  I'm having trouble finding a bank that will accept my donation.  I'm delivering at Reston Hospital.  Any advice?
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Re: cord blood - public donations

  • victoria1212victoria1212 member

    I donated through the National Bone Marrow Registry and after I completed (and my doctor completed) the paperwork, they sent me a box that I took to the hospital with me and then the nurses boxed everything up and called Fedex to come pick it up.Literally, the box was in my room and Fedex guy showed up and had me sign that it was collected.

    How far along are you? I think you have to submit the paperwork before you hit 30 weeks or so. My doctor and Sibley waived all costs associated with the collection and I have yet to hear of a doctor/hospital who does not do this.

    It is a great thing to do! Let me know if you have any questions.

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  • SofkaSofka

    I wanted to donate but my OB charged for it! I was very disappointed. I called the blood bank and they told me not to do it if I had to pay. 

     

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  • vamomtobevamomtobe member

    Thanks!!  I love that the FedEx guy picks it up from the room - that is strange!  Must be stranger for the FedEx guy though!  I am 33 weeks, I did mention it at my last appointment and it sounded as if I still had time but I need to get it done soon.  It's great that your doctor waived the costs.  My OB mentioned there would be a fee, but she didn't say how much it would be.  You'd think they'd all waive the fees to encourage donations. Oh well depending on how much it is we'll probably still do it. 

    We had a childbirth class at the hospital last weekend, and as part of a recent VA state law, had a presenter come in to educate the class on cord blood.  The presenter was a paid representative of ViaCord!  She did mention public banks but pretty much discouraged it and didn't explain how to go about doing it.  I couldn't believe that they didn't have an objective presentation, but I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, they do have contracts with all sorts of companies after all.

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  • victoria1212victoria1212 member
    Doctors charge a fee to collect cord blood but I think when they realize you are donating it, instead of banking it- it gets waived. At least that is what the staff at Sibley told me. Otherwise, it just gets thrown away :-(
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  • umdbrideumdbride
    Definitely call the registry that PP provided - they were really helpful and provided names and numbers to two other non-profits that were running programs that I could donate to since there were none in my area.  Unfortunately, I was about 35 weeks at the time so it was too late for me - I think you have to be less than 34 weeks, but it may be 30 like PP said. 
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  • vamomtobevamomtobe member
    I gave the registry a call this morning.  They make it so easy!  I am 33 weeks, and that was fine so you're probably right about the 34 week cut-off.  They said that included in the kit will be info for my OB about how to waive the fee.  They don't send the kit until you're 37 or 38 weeks.  It was so sweet, the woman I spoke with mentioned that when you donate the cord blood, your baby is making their first philanthropic action minutes into life.  Something fun to tell them when they're older.  That website was great for anyone looking for more info. 
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