Birth Tissue Donation

Birth Tissue Donation Program

After a baby is born, the placenta and umbilical cord are normally discarded. Instead, this birth tissue can be donated to help others heal.

Donation is:

• 100% safe for you and your baby
• Private and confidential
• Easy and voluntary
• Compatible with blood cord donation
• Free of cost. There is no monetary benefit to donating.
  

  How Does My Birth Tissue Help Others?

  Birth tissue is rich in natural healing properties that are used to treat serious wounds and injuries. Every birth is a new beginning, and for someone else, it could be a second chance at a healthy life. Your gift can be used to help patients who suffer from chronic wounds, like

  • diabetic foot ulcers,
  • severe burns,
  • surgical injuries,
  • and other conditions that make healing difficult.

One gift of birth tissue can heal up to 75 people.

How Can I Participate in the Birth Tissue Donation Program?

1. Inform your healthcare team. Tell your healthcare team that you would like to donate your birth tissue.
2. Talk with Lifebanc. A Lifebanc coordinator will explain the process and answer your questions.
3. Give your consent and medical history. A Lifebanc coordinator will ask for your consent and questions about your medical and social history.
4. Deliver your baby! After delivery, your healthcare team safely collects the placenta and umbilical cord. There is no impact to your delivery or medical care.
5. Healing begins. Your donation is sent to a medical processor, where it is prepared for use in medical treatments.

Lifebanc and your medical team handle everything. You just give the gift of healing.

Call Lifebanc at 216.816.BABY or email us at BirthTissueDonation@Lifebanc.org to see if birth tissue donation is an option at your hospital. If you are giving birth at a participating hospital, then a coordinator will speak to you to answer any questions and schedule a convenient time to complete the donation documents.

The Reed Family

“The opportunity to donate made this already special day more meaningful.“

Although scheduled for a C-section, Samantha was excited about the upcoming birth of her daughter, Sephora. When the hospital told her she had the opportunity to donate her placenta after delivery, she jumped at the chance. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Samantha worked as a nurse for 10 years in the ICU and saw firsthand the benefit of organ and tissue donation.

“I always loved hearing the amazing stories of how donation had changed the life of someone,” said Samantha, “And I honestly never knew I could donate my placenta and help someone who was really suffering from wounds that wouldn’t heal or burns.”

“The placenta donation team explained everything, and it was so easy, I knew I wanted to make this a part of my birth experience. I love knowing that I have helped others, and that’s what made me want to donate again, when my son was born.”

Samantha hopes others will want to participate in placenta donation and contribute in such a beautiful way

Other Notes About Birth Tissue Donation

1. Birth Tissue gifts can be used for, but are not limited to,  the treatment of burns, chronic wounds, ophthalmology, spinal and dental procedures, and the management of diabetic foot ulcers.
2. There are no side effects, risks or benefits associated with donation to either yourself or your newborn child. 
3. Your decision to donate is private and confidential, and your participation is purely voluntary. If you choose not to donate, you will not lose any rights or benefits that you would have received otherwise. 
4. You and your family will not receive monetary compensation for your donation. 
5. The costs directly related to the evaluation, recovery, preservation, and distribution of the birth tissue will not be charged to you or your family.
6. Non-profit and for-profit organizations may be involved in facilitating the gift. 
7. The donated tissue, in its final form, may be distributed nationally or internationally. 
8. Lifebanc maintains the confidentiality of all information related to your donation, including your name, address, and medical documentation. This information will remain on file and only be shared with parties involved in the recovery and processing of the donated tissue. 

 For more information, email BirthTissueDonation@Lifebanc.org or contact Lifebanc at 216.816.BABY.