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Showing love for others
Do you know anyone who is going to be a new Mum? If so, would you share the news that through the process of birth and new life that they could save a life!
Wow! How?
At Anthony Nolan, we save the lives of people with blood cancer. And we do it with the help of heroic mums – and their little ones.
So the blood in your baby’s placenta and cord is rich in stem cells. These can be used in stem cell transplants and/or cell therapy to give the chance of life to people with blood cancer or blood disorders – but usually, they’re just thrown away after the birth. Anthony Nolan’s cord blood programme is a pioneering initiative to save more lives.
We collect donated cord blood and tissue, and then store them in our cord blood bank until needed to help transplant recipients get the stem cells they need that are a genetic match for them.
You probably have some questions about donating. We’ll gladly get in touch with you to discuss any issues, but here are some of the most common questions that come up:
So you have the How? Now for the What and Why!
What is cord blood?
It’s the blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord after you give birth. Following your baby’s birth, the cord is clamped and cut. Then, along with the placenta, it’s usually thrown away.
Why is cord blood important?
Every year, around 2,000 people in the UK will need a stem cell transplant from a stranger – including more than 300 children. The stem cells in cord blood can be used for transplants, as an alternative to finding a stem cell donor. One of the many advantages of cord blood stem cells is that they are immediately available for patients who need them. Time is often a crucial factor for a person who needs a stem cell transplant, so it could mean the difference between life and death.
What happens when I donate my cord blood?
It’s a simple, safe, and swift procedure. Once your baby has been safely born, the umbilical cord will be clamped as normal. Then the cord and placenta, once delivered, will be passed to one of our cord collectors who will take it to a separate room to extract the blood. To complete your donation you'll need to give a maternal blood sample following birth. You’ll also need to sign the formal consent paperwork and answer some questions on your medical history. Cord blood is collected and goes to someone with blood cancer – where it can literally give someone a second chance of life.
If you have any questions about cord donation or if you feel there may be any conflict with your cultural or religious needs, please do not hesitate to ask the collection team at Anthony Nolan any questions before you make a decision to donate.
You can also call us on 0303 303 0303 or visit anthonynolan.org/cord
UNITY
We are thrilled to partner with Anthony Nolan, the charity that makes lifesaving connections between people with blood cancer and incredible strangers. To find out more about our partnership and for more ways to show Love for Others check out Unity our voice for ethnic diversity and equality at NEXT
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