Here are the requirements to register for donating cord blood to the Red Cross bank...
...If she, her husband and children have no history of cancers.
...There is no history of Haemoglobinopathy, Immunodeficiency, Coagulopathy, Metabolic diseases and blood cancers within her or her husband's immediate family.
...She is healthy and without any history of infection and has not received any clotting factor concentrate, organ or tissue transplant.
...She has not spent three or more cumulative months in the UK between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1996.
....She agrees to provide BTS with a blood sample for infection marker testing according to the international standards.
...She is willing to provide BTS with the baby's full name, identity number and health information.
I would encourage everyone to donate to this bank - but it looks like it's impossible for us Brits. I guess this is a BSE thing?