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Texas Cord Blood Bank

Specially approved by the Texas legislature and unique in the state, the Texas Cord Blood Bank (TCBB) - managed by South Texas Blood & Tissue Center - is a source of ethnically diverse, life-saving umbilical cord blood. Mia

Cord blood is the blood that remains in the placenta after a baby is born. In the past, this blood was discarded. However, cord blood is rich in blood-making cells which can be used to treat patients with certain cancers and fatal blood disorders.

Since cord blood immune cells are less mature, they are more easily accepted by the patient when used in transplantation. As a result, patients with a less than perfect immune match can now be treated. Cord blood is rapidly available to the patient with no risk or cost to the donor.

The Texas Cord Blood Bank seeks to develop a program that results in the highest quality units that exceed national and international standards. Since immune types are specific to ethnic groups, the TCBB is strategically located to collect cord blood units that reflect the rich ethnic diversity of Texas.

Benefits:

  • There is no risk to the donor.
  • There are fewer immune complications.
  • This program is not controversial and has the support of the faith communities.
  • Over 8,000 cord blood transplants have already been performed worldwide.
  • Possible future uses include cardiac or neurological repair.

Today cord blood is used for: baby

  • Leukemia
  • Lymphoma
  • Aplastic anemia
  • Genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia
  • Disorders of the immune system
  • Disorders of the blood making system


    Possible future uses include:
  • Cardiac repair
  • Neurologic disorders
  • Diabetes

Goals of TCBB

  1. Building a cord blood bank that captures the rich ethnic diversity of Texans.
  2. Developing a program that meets the highest of quality standards.
  3. Performing research into the optimal use of cord blood in transplantation.
  4. The Texas Cord Blood Bank will process, test and store cord blood from voluntary donors delivering at maternity sites across the state.

Hospitals Partnered with TCBB

San Antonio: Methodist, North Central Baptist, Southeast Baptist,
                         Northeast Baptist, University
Harlingen: Valley Baptist Medical Center
Brownsville: Valley Baptist Medical Center
Dallas: Medical City
New Braunfels: CHRISTUS Santa Rosa
Edinburg: Doctors Hospital
Houston: Texas Children's Hospital/St Luke's Episcopal
Waco: Providence Hospital
Midland: Midland Memorial Hospital

babyHow you can make a difference:
There are few public unrelated banks in the United States, each represents an ethnic mix unique to their geographic area. If you would like to make a contribution to the program, please send your donation to the Texas Cord Blood Bank, c/o South Texas Blood & Tissue Center. For more information contact Mary Beth Fisk.

 

Available TCBB Programs

TCBB Public Donations Program (through partnered hospitals)
This program stores publically donated cord blood units collected only at hospitals partnered with TCBB. This is a donation at no cost to the donor.

TCBB Non-Fixed Site Collections Program
This program stores publically donated cord blood units collected at accredited hospitals not currently on our list of participating collection sites. This is a donation at no cost to the family. 

TCBB Related Donor Program
This program stores cord blood collections for families with a first degree relative (i.e. full biological sibling or birth parent) of the baby-to-be-born that is a candidate for a cord blood transplant. This first degree relative of the baby must be diagnosed with a disease/ disorder approved by this program. The cord blood will be stored exclusively for this family at no cost.