A close-up black-and-white photograph of an adult holding a baby's hand gently.

On the day your baby is born, you can give the gift of life a second time.

Who We Are

Hawaiʻi Cord Blood Bank is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit, community service organization whose mission is to support measures aimed at improving patient access to transplant, including the collection and public banking of umbilical cord blood from Hawaiʻi's ethnically diverse population.

A sleeping baby wrapped in a green blanket on a fluffy white rug on a wooden floor.
  • Close-up of tiny baby hands clasped together, wrapped in white cloth, with the baby's face blurred in the background.

    Why donate cord blood?

  • The blood left over in your baby’s umbilical cord could save someone’s life.

    Cord blood contains the same kind of special cells as bone marrow, and like bone marrow, has been used in transplants to cure patients with otherwise fatal diseases.

  • A woman with long hair gently holding a newborn baby in her hands, both looking at each other in a tender moment.

    Donating cord blood is free, painless, and without risk to mother or baby.

    Blood is collected from the umbilical cord only after baby is born and the cord is cut.

  • Dark, rippling water surface

    Cord blood cells are more forgiving than bone marrow.

    Patients and donors do not have to be as closely matched when using cord blood cells, so that means hard to match patients have a better chance finding a suitable donor.

  • Multiple hands of different sizes forming a heart shape on a striped fabric background.

    Our diversity is our strength.

    Minority and multiracial patients have the most difficult time finding matching donors. Hawaiʻi’s ethnic diversity poses us a special challenge, but can also be our greatest resource. Donated cord blood can end up helping our families, our friends, our neighbors, and our co-workers by filling a need that can’t be met anywhere else.

  • Black and white photo of tall palm trees with fronds extending outward against a clear sky.

    Donating cord blood to the Hawaiʻi Cord Blood Bank has the medical profession’s seal of approval.

    As Hawaiʻi’s first and only public cord blood bank, we make our cord blood units available to any searching patient who has a suitable match. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation have all strongly endorsed public cord blood banking.

  • Close-up black and white photograph of a hibiscus flower with detailed petals and stamen.

    You can help share the Aloha Spirit with the rest of the world.

    Thus far, over 275 cord blood units collected by the HawaiĘ»i Cord Blood Bank have provided matches for transplant patients from all regions of the United States, (and the world). These patients have ranged from an infant less than 1 year of age to a 71 year old adult.

  • The moon in its third quarter phase against a black sky.

    We are part of a national and a worldwide network.

    Cord blood units collected by the Hawaiʻi Cord Blood Bank are listed with the National Marrow Donor Program registry, so our inventory can be searched on behalf of patients worldwide.

  • Black and white photo of an adult hand holding a baby finger.

    We can accept your cord blood donation at Oahu’s major delivery hospitals.

    Thanks to the hard work and devotion of hundreds of doctors and nurses who volunteer their time on our behalf, we offer cord blood collection at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children, The Queen’s Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Tripler Army Medical Center, and Adventist Health Castle.

  • Close-up of adult hands gently holding a baby's feet with one finger touching the baby's toes in black and white.

    Donating your baby’s cord blood turns trash into treasure.

    Umbilical cord blood is normally discarded. By donating, you can give someone a second chance at life.

FAQs

  • The blood contained in a baby's used umbilical cord, like bone marrow, is rich in life-giving stem cells. In fact, ounce for ounce, cord blood is far richer in these stem cells than bone marrow. Instead of being thrown away, which is what often happens to the baby's umbilical cord after delivery, the blood from the umbilical cord can be saved and stored. These banked cells may give some patients a second chance at life by allowing them to have a transplant.

  • The entire procedure takes five minutes or less, and is painless and safe without risk to mother and baby. During routine deliveries, cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord after the baby is delivered and the cord is clamped then cut. Just like donations of regular blood, a trained cord blood collector (your doctor or midwife) will use a needle and special collection bag to collect. The same set up is used for babies delivered by caesarean section.

    Please note maternal blood samples will be drawn from you to be tested for any infectious diseases. No blood sample is collected from your baby.

    Further discussion about this process can be found on the second page of your consent form.

  • Hawaii Cord Blood Bank is a public bank. The cord blood donation is completely free and anonymous.

    • Be at least 18 years or older

    • Singleton pregnancy (not twins or multiples)

    • Full term pregnancy at the time of delivery: 37 weeks or more

    • Have no history of any blood disorders or cancer (Eligibility criteria includes other immediate family; non-birth parent and siblings)

    Please talk to your provider for more information.

  • To request for an enrollment packet, please contact HawaiĘ»i Cord Blood Bank by phone or email. Or download our enrollment packet on our website and mail in the completed forms.

    You may also ask your labor and delivery nurse or doctor when you check into the hospital.

    Participating hospitals:

  • Umbilical cord blood contains the same kinds of cells as those found in bone marrow. Leukemias are cancers of these bone marrow cells, so giving patients their own cells back in the form of their umbilical cord blood would allow the cancer-forming process to start all over again. The best source of cells for these kinds of transplants is therefore another donor's cells.

  • You may consider to decide whether public or private cord blood banking is the best option for you. There are many for-profit companies that advertise their services to store umbilical cord blood. Private or family, cord blood banking companies require an up front fee to collect your baby's cord blood, and a yearly storage fee thereafter. Saving your child's own umbilical cord blood is often marketed as a way to give your child "biological insurance," so that if your child ever needed a transplant, the blood would be there. See comparison here.

    Most pediatric oncologists involved with transplant feel that in families with no known risk factors for cancer or certain inherited diseases, cord blood storage in a public bank will allow these units to be used to their highest capacity. If you choose to take part in this program, the aloha you show will make a significant contribution to a valuable resource, that will benefit a great number of people.

  • With thousands of bone marrow transplants performed thus far, many patients are unable to undergo this potentially life saving procedure. A major limiting factor is the availability of stem cells that are adequately matched to the donor. The best source of these matched cells is usually a patient’s brother or sister. Unfortunately, only about a third of all potential recipients in need of such a donor have a matched family member. Unrelated, compatible donors can be identified, and their cells are used successfully in transplants. Approximately 25% of all stem cell transplants performed today utilize unrelated marrow donors.

    Despite the large number of volunteers in the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), many patients without a family match are unable to find a suitably matched unrelated donor. This is especially true for those of Asian, Polynesian, and mixed ethnic ancestry. These ethnic patients are the most under represented in the NMDP, and face the most difficulty in finding donors. Many of these patients wait months, or even die before a matching donor can be located.

    Cord blood can help fill this need. Cord blood banks provide an excellent complimentary source of stem cells to the bone marrow registries. Hawaiʻi's ethnic diversity poses a special challenge, but also provides us with a unique opportunity. The Hawaiʻi Cord Blood Bank is a public bank that is open to anyone seeking a matching donor. It will help make life-saving transplants more available to people here, as well as to ethnic minorities living on the Mainland, and in countries throughout the Pacific Basin.

The Care Teams Behind Every Donation

  • Four nurses wearing masks and scrubs are standing together in a hospital, holding an award plaque for first place in a blood volume competition. Behind them, a banner reads 'Happy Nurses Week!'.
  • Three healthcare workers standing in a hospital corridor, holding certificates, under a sign that reads 'Labor & Delivery'.
  • Group of healthcare workers standing together in hospital hallway, holding certificates and awards, wearing scrubs and face masks, celebrating recognition.
  • A black and white photo of a man and a woman smiling and holding certificates of achievement. They are in a room with a framed photo and some plants in the background.
  • Group of five women medical staff, smiling and holding certificates, standing in a hospital break room.
  • A busy hospital reception area with patients and staff. People are sitting and standing, some using computers or reading, while others wait in line or talk with staff. Medical professionals in scrubs are engaged in various activities.
  • Group of healthcare professionals in scrubs and masks standing together in a hospital corridor, some holding awards and certificates.
  • Group of six healthcare workers, five women and one man, standing in a hospital corridor, smiling at the camera, holding certificates and jars, with artwork on the wall behind them.
  • Group of healthcare workers in scrubs and masks holding awards and certificates in a hospital setting.
  • Three women standing together in a medical setting, holding a certificate for first place in a blood bank competition, all wearing face masks. The certificate reads: 'Hawaii Cord Blood Bank, 2022 Big & Banked Winner, First Place - 263 grams, awarded to Dr. Grace Wong.'
  • Two women in medical scrubs standing in a hospital corridor, holding certificates and smiling. Behind them are colorful photos of children and adults on the wall, a door, and medical equipment.
  • A group of healthcare professionals smiling and posing together in a hospital setting. One woman is holding a certificate that reads, "Pump Up the Volume 2015, Big & Banked Winner." The background shows a clock, papers, and hospital room elements. 
With Gratitude

Cord blood donation is made possible through the dedication of our hospital and clinical partners across Oʻahu. We are grateful for the healthcare teams who support families choosing to give this lifesaving gift.

Contact Us

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