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“Donating an umbilical cord is a simple and generous act which could help unlock the next generation of treatments for a range of serious conditions.”
— Angela Kerrigan, Consultant Midwife and Senior Research Leader at Wirral University Teaching Hospital
At BioGrad, we are always looking for ways to support research that could genuinely change lives. That is why we are proud to be working with Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) on an important new initiative that invites families to donate their baby’s umbilical cord after birth.
It is a small act, but one that could have a huge impact on the future of healthcare.
What is it all about?
When a baby is born, the umbilical cord is usually discarded. Yet cord blood and tissue contain valuable stem cells and other unique biological materials with enormous potential for advancing medical research.
These samples are helping researchers better understand and treat a wide range of conditions, including leukaemia, arthritis, infertility, endometriosis, and even degenerative diseases affecting the brain and eyes.
Thanks to this partnership, BioGrad now works closely with the maternity team at WUTH to offer parents the chance to donate the cord after delivery. It is completely safe, does not interfere with the birth, and is entirely voluntary.
Why this matters?
Medical research has come a long way, but there are still many conditions, especially those affecting women and children, that remain under researched.
As Dr Natalie Kenny, our Chief Executive, explains:
“We know there is more work to do when it comes to understanding the conditions that affect women and families.
This programme gives us an opportunity to make real progress and it is thanks to families and NHS teams like those at WUTH that we are able to do it.”
Each month, BioGrad collects around 90 to 130 umbilical cords from hospitals across the North West. But the potential for discovery is far greater. With more donations, 2/2 researchers could accelerate progress towards new treatments, earlier diagnoses, and better outcomes for families across the UK and beyond.
As one of the UK’s leading independent biobanks, BioGrad ensures that every cord donation is collected, stored, and distributed to support ethically approved research projects nationwide.
A warm welcome from Wirral
The team at WUTH have been incredibly supportive. Speaking about the project, Angela Kerrigan, Consultant Midwife and Senior Research Leader at the Trust, said:
“We’re proud to be part of this forward-thinking initiative with BioGrad. The partnership reflects our wider commitment to supporting research that improves outcomes for patients here in Wirral, as well as across the UK and beyond.”
Janelle Holmes, WUTH’s Chief Executive, added:
“I’m delighted that WUTH has partnered with BioGrad on this study. They are making real strides in regenerative medicine and cancer research.
“The umbilical cord initiative is one of more than 40 active research studies currently underway at WUTH across multiple departments and specialties. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to innovation, clinical trials, and patient-led research at our trust.”
You can read more about WUTH’s announcement on their official website, Click here.
Want to get involved?
If you are having your baby at Wirral University Teaching Hospital and are interested in donating your baby’s umbilical cord, speak to your midwife. They will explain how it works and what is involved.
You can also find more information about the donation process and who is eligible by visiting our BioGrad Biobanking site:
