Canadian Blood Services’ Cord Blood Bank Eligibility and registration

Once you have read the information on public cord blood donation to Canadian Blood Services’ Cord Blood Bank and spoken with your healthcare provider(s), we ask that you register online and return your consent form before the day of your delivery.

Privacy Notice to Blood Donors, Stem Cell Registry Participants and for Canadian Blood Services' Cord Blood Bank

Join Canada’s Lifeline

We accept cord blood at four locations across Canada:

Recorded information session:
“Public cord blood donation: debunking the myths”

The Ottawa Hospital (General campus) in Ottawa, Ontario
The William Osler Health System’s Brampton Civic Hospital in Brampton, Ontario
The Alberta Health Services’ Lois Hole Hospital for Women in Edmonton, Alberta
The BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia

Despite not being in other locations the cord blood units collected at these hospitals are building Canada's national inventory for any patient in need, in Canada or around the world.

Am I eligible?

Great question! Consenting mothers must:

Be 18 years or older and in good general health.
Carrying a single pregnancy.
Have no history of cancer (by the baby’s mother or father).
Free of infectious diseases (such as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis).
Free of inherited diseases or medical conditions that could be passed on to the patient.
Willing to donate to any patient in need.

Registering to donate cord blood is easy

Donating to the public cord blood bank is free, easy and poses no risk to the mother or the baby.

Get informed

Read about the donation process, important registration information and understand the FAQs before proceeding to register.

Register and consent to donate

If you are not able to complete your registration online, return your completed consent form to your healthcare provider during one of your prenatal visits or bring it with you to the hospital on your delivery day. Tell your nurse you wish to donate your cord blood.

Donate cord blood

Cord blood is collected after your baby and placenta have been safely delivered. If your baby’s cord blood unit qualifies, a staff member will visit you to collect additional information before you leave the hospital.

Free interpreter and translation services available in Arabic, Chinese and Punjabi

Interpreter and translation services are provided by board certified interpreters and translators who meet the highest industry standards. To request this service, please email cordblood@blood.ca. We require six to eight weeks’ notice to ensure all required forms are complete and received prior to your delivery date.

An information package will be sent to you in your preferred language. This information will allow you to read, ask any questions, fill-out, sign and return the registration and consent forms prior to the birth of your baby.

To download the cord blood registration package please click on the preferred language below:

English French Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Punjabi Arabic

Having trouble registering?

Call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or email cordblood@blood.ca for assistance.

Do you live in Quebec?

Quebec residents outside the vicinity of a collecting hospital interested in becoming cord blood donors may register with Héma-Québec.