Donating cord blood - 6 week "wait" period, what a scam!!

Durve2008 · December 2013

I am in the middle of doing some very last minute research on donating cord blood.

Basically, I was pretty settled that private banking is not a great option for us. We are both Caucasian adults of generally healthy background not at risk for the inheritable diseases pointed out by cord banking materials. The only diseases that would really concern me are the blood cancers and cerebreal palsey. However, even leukemia is better treated by sibling or a non-self stem cell…so it seems like the most viable use for stems cells would be cerebral palsy.

However, in my internet searching, I realized that you can donate stem cells. I thought that this is a great option. It is affordable (free) and there is a possibility that if you ever did need your stem cells, that they may still be available (especially since you normally use them early in the child’s life- so you are not waiting a very long time). If I were to never use them, then they might help someone else. It seems like a win-win. Right? WELL…we called LifeBankUSA after taking the e-questionnaire on their website. The only question that disqualified me from donation is that I am not giving them 6 weeks notice from my due date (I am currently 38 weeks 1 day). I know I should have looked into this earlier, but honestly…it was never apparent to me that donation was even an option until I happened to come across it on the internet. My DH spoke to the call center at LifeBankUSA and the lady tried to tell us that the FDA requires a 6 week waiting period for review of the questionnaire. This is a bunch of junk, I think. I called the FDA, and so far they have no idea what LifeBankUSA is talking about.

To me, it sounds like these companies are taking advantage of people! They want you to feel scared and privately bank with them since you are out of time for donation. I can’t even conceive of a reason why there should be a 6 week waiting/review period for donors and opposed to private banking. The lady told us that if we wanted to privately bank, we could just ask for a kit at the hospital! SO, what is the difference?? The questionnaire had less than 10 yes/no questions. It is not like they are doing any biological analysis to make sure we are viable donors! Ugghh…just so mad. I feel like this is a clear attempt at taking advantage of people in a very vulnerable position, who love their children so much they are willing to shell out $3K plus $250/year just to make sure they have covered all of their bases in protecting the health of their children.

Sorry for the long post, but this really has me MAD!!

Shannahbee · December 2013

I live in Canada, and am donating the cord blood... I had to have the forms submitted at least 2 months prior to my EDD.
And it is through an organization that does not also offer private banking, so it is not an attempt to coerce us into choosing private banking.

ccip82 · December 2013

While I can understand your frustration, I would not call it a scam by any means.

BABYROSEJEANS17 · December 2013

That's good to know! I was considering that as private banking isn't financially in the cards for us either. That's ashame if it really is a ploy and they're missing out in perfectly good cord blood.

Durve2008 · December 2013

Shannahbee said:

I live in Canada, and am donating the cord blood... I had to have the forms submitted at least 2 months prior to my EDD. And it is through an organization that does not also offer private banking, so it is not an attempt to coerce us into choosing private banking.

This is somewhat comforting to hear. It makes me feel a little less furious. I think that the hormones are really kicking in with this one...and I wanted to rip the phone off the wall after the lady told us we we not qualified for (what I think is) really no good, justifiable reason. I must cool down

blue_elle · December 2013

Duke University requires the same, so may be disappointing, but there must be a reason.

susieandmarty · December 2013

I wanted to donate and my hospital told me they don't do it when pregnant with dd1. I did not even look this time. I would absolutely donate but I feel bad it's not happening. It never occurred to me to look to a different resource.

Durve2008 · December 2013

I wish donation was more publicized! I would have signed up a long time ago if I realized.

CanadianGamerMom · December 2013

We're donating to a public bank, and all I had to do was sign a paper at my 36 week appointment. The doctor didn't even say it HAD to be at the 36 week appt. I'm sure I could have even done it this week (38 weeks) and it wouldn't have been a big deal.

kw42775 · December 2013

I'm donating...I had to send the paperwork in after I hit 28 weeks.
https://www.slcbb.org

ETA: website.

Jackapatamus · December 2013

We are participating in a study and donating our cord and placenta, and in order to participate, I had to have the paperwork in by 30 weeks. So six weeks sounds reasonable to me.