I Helped Save a Life by Donating My Son’s Cord Blood

When giving birth to my first child, I was approached by a good friend of mine asking me whether I was donating my cord blood or storing it for myself. Not knowing anything about the process or uses of the cord blood, I ended up giving it much thought and research. After talking with my spouse and looking over reputable cord blood banks, prices, and processing fees, I decided that keeping the cord blood was not the most viable solution for us and the baby. Not only was it expensive but our baby was healthy and our genetic backgrounds were great – I didn’t see a use in personally storing it. When I found out about donating it though, I definitely jumped on board.

The hospital I was delivering at already had a program in place that took the cord blood donation right there after the birth. It didn’t affect dad cutting the umbilical cord and didn’t change my birth story at all. It really was something we decided to do to benefit others. I wanted to give some other sick individual hope, health, and happiness. It wasn’t a huge undertaking – we just had to sign a few papers and fill out some paperwork and that was that.

When reading over all the ways that cord blood can benefit others, I knew it was the right choice for our family. It didn’t seem right to throw something away in a bio-hazard bag that could improve someone else’s health. Since the cord blood contains alot of blood-forming cells, it is used to help cancer patients both young and old, and patients faced with life-threatening diseases. If a doctor deems the cord blood the best option for a transplant, they have to find the closest match. Sometimes it can be hard to find a match for those with different ethnic and racial backgrounds and that is why it is important to donate no matter what background you come from.

I am happy with my decision to donate it through the hospital so that somebody else can take advantages of medical technology today. As doctors save lives every day, you can too. It is simple and easy and doesn’t cost you anything. When donating, the program pays the processing, the blood testing, and incurs all the fees you would otherwise pay if you stored it in a family bank or facility.

I think it is important for all expectant parents to make the best decision regarding their family and cord blood donation.