The Rhode Island Umbilical Cord Blood Bank

The Rhode Island Blood Center, in partnership with Women & Infants Hospital, has developed the first pilot public cord blood banking option in New England. Women who are interested in donating their baby’s umbilical cord can call the Rhode Island Blood Center at 248-5768 or contact us to learn more and determine their eligibility. Unlike private cord blood banking, there is no cost to the mother to donate to Rhode Island Blood Center’s public bank. Units in the public bank are made available through the National Marrow Donor Program and similar networks to the public worldwide.

How Physicians Can Help the Rhode Island Umbilical Cord Blood Bank?

We believe that many women would be interested in donating their baby’s umbilical cord blood to a public bank. Since Rhode Island’s program is brand new, many women probably are not aware that public donation is an option. As a physician, you can help inform your patients by asking them to consider a public cord blood donation. Since this program is in the pilot stage, only women delivering at Women & Infants Hospital are eligible for participation.

We have developed a brochure which explains how interested women can learn more. You can help by keeping a supply of these brochures on hand and readily available to your patients. If you would like a supply of brochures, please call Kristine at (401) 453-8426.

Rhode Island’s program allows both the cord blood bank staff or a trained physician to collect the cord blood. We are encouraging all physicians to receive training, as this will allow coverage 7 days per week, 24 hours per day. The training takes only 20 minutes to complete. To schedule your on-site or online collection training, please call Joanne at (401) 248-5757 Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm.