Cord Blood Donation

The Anthony Nolan Cord Blood Programme was established in 2008 to help meet the unmet need for transplants.

There are currently collection sites at five hospitals throughout the UK - two are based here in Leicester - one at the Royal Infirmary and one at the General Hospital.

The sites have been deliberately selected to be based at hospitals with high birth rates and significant Black, Asian and ethnic minority populations to best meet national transplant needs.

Since the programme opened in 2008, over 67,000 cord blood units have been collected overall.

So, why is cord blood so useful?

The blood from the umbilical cord and placenta is a rich source of stems cells, capable of replenishing a patient’s bone marrow in a transplant setting. It is used to treat a variety of life-limiting conditions, including:

• Blood malignancies, such as leukaemia and lymphoma

• Bone marrow failure syndromes

• Haemoglobinopathies, or blood disorders, such as sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia

• Immunodeficiencies

• Metabolic disorders

If you have any questions about the Cord Blood Programme call the Leicester General collection team on 07909 907 231 or the Leicester Royal Infirmary collection team on 07909 907 215.