Once the donated cord blood is processed and stored at the Cord Blood Bank, it is listed on the NMDP Registry and available to patients all over the world who are searching for a match. The cord blood can be transplanted into any patient whose doctor selects the cord as a match for that patient.

On any given day, more than 6,000 patients, their families and friends around the world are searching the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry for a matching bone marrow donor or cord blood unit. These patients have leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases that can be treated by a bone marrow or cord blood transplant.

Note: The following information will be based on whole blood donations. It may not be accurate for apheresis donors.

Typically, each donated unit of blood - referred to as whole blood - is separated into multiple components, such as red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipatitated AHF (antihemophilic factor). Each component can be transfused to different individuals with different needs. Therefore, each donation can be used to help save as many as three lives.

Columbia University Medical Center relies on voluntary blood donors and extensive testing to maintain safe blood supplies. Please speak with your surgeon well in advance of surgery regarding blood banking and the possibility of donating blood for yourself or having family and friends donate blood before surgery.

The cord blood bank keeps the mother's name confidential, and it protects the privacy of the family. Names are not shared with any patient or transplant center. The baby's cord blood is identified by a number, never by name.

Heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, liver, small bowel, bone and associated tendons, blood vessels, heart valves, skin and corneas. Organs are allocated through the United Network for Organ Sharing. Tissues recovered by NEOB are first processed for safety and preservation purposes before they are transplanted. Tissue recovered by NEOB are processed by: LifeNet, Tissue Banks International, LifeCell, and CryoLife.

Family members or friends who have the same blood type as you can provide a directed blood donation for you, however, most studies show that directed donations are no safer than blood donated by healthy community volunteers. In fact, blood donations from close relatives are more likely to cause a serious immune reaction. In these situations, doctors must treat the blood with radiation before it can be used safely.

After blood is drawn, it is tested for ABO group (blood type) and RH type (positive or negative), as well as for any unexpected Red Blood Cell antibodies that may cause problems for the recipient. Screening tests performed are listed below:

According to the National Blood Data Resource Center, U.S. institutions collected more than 15 million units of whole blood and red cells in 2001, the most recent year for which data are available. Blood centers collected 93% of the donated units, while hospitals collected 7%. These donations were made by approximately eight million volunteer blood donors. The American Red Cross collects almost half of these donations across the U.S.

Don't be scared! Consider bringing a friend to talk to--and don't forget that there will be HBD volunteers (fellow Harvard students) at the drive to help you though--just let one of them know if they can help you in some way. Here's a list of tips to make your donation as easy as possible. One of the easiest things you can do is to make sure to eat a full meal and drink lots of fluids before donating.

In normal healthy persons there is a slight drop in blood count (not enough to be noticed) which returns to normal levels within 3 - 4 weeks. During this time the donor must be receiving adequate amounts of dietary iron (needed to make hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen and gives blood its red color).

After blood has been drawn, it is tested for ABO group (blood type) and Rh type (positive or negative), as well as for any unexpected red blood cell antibodies that may cause problems in a recipient. Screening tests also are performed for evidence of donor infection with hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodeficiency viruses HIV-1 and HIV-2, human T-lymphotropic viruses HTLV-I and HTLV-II, and syphilis.

Yes - you can specify what you want to donate, or what you may wish not to donate. You also have the option to choose donation for research. Some people specify certain organs or tissues, some choose for transplantation only. It's completely up to you. Being a registered donor or having "donor" indicated on your driver license serves as legal documentation of your wishes. Share your wishes with your family. It will make the donation process much easier for them if they know your wishes.

Most countries reported that 100% of the transfused blood is screened, indicating that this is no longer a sensitive indicator. A new, more sensitive, indicator was included that focused on the quality of screening. In order to provide valid and reliable data indicators cannot take into consideration every aspect of a complex process. The indicator therefore takes only one specific data point from the blood safety protocol.