Become A Donor Now | BioBanking

Become A Donor

If you’re ready to donate or want more information about the process, our team is here to answer any questions you may have.

Become A Donor

If you’re ready to donate or want more information about the process, our team is here to answer any questions you may have.

Join Us in Advancing Healthcare

Here at BioGrad, we take donations of menstrual blood, umbilical cord blood and stem cells specifically to research women’s health and close the gender health gap.

By donating samples to BioGrad, you’re helping scientists carry out life-changing research. We’re passionate about improving healthcare through ethical and transparent practices. The samples you donate help experts better understand how under-researched diseases work, develop new medicines, and create safer, more accurate ways to test for conditions.

If you’re thinking of helping out but feel unsure, you don’t have to go it alone. Our friendly team will guide you through the whole donation process, step by step.

The Donation Process

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Optional Consultation

You are free to book a consultation anytime with the clinical team.

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Easy Collection

Donating is simple and hassle-free. Donate using one of our at-home collection kits, have your sample collected at our BioGrad clinic or directly from hospital after birth (umbilical cord donation only).

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Ongoing Support

Our friendly team will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring you have all the support you need. 

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Remuneration

 In recognition of your contribution, you will receive a form of remuneration worth between £10-£100 per sample as a thank you for your donation. 

The Donation Process

Online consultation

Once ready complete the consent and medical questionnaire and submit for review by our clinical team.

Easy Collection

Donating is simple and hassle-free. Donate using one of our at-home collection kits or have your sample collected at our BioGrad clinic. 

Ongoing Support

Our friendly team will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring you have all the support you need. 

Quality Check

After your sample is collected, it will undergo a thorough quality check to ensure it meets our standards.

Remuneration

 In recognition of your contribution, you will receive a form of remuneration worth between £10-£100 per sample as a thank you for your donation. 

We are currently seeking donors for following

Menstrual Blood (aged 13 or over, using a menstrual cup)
Umbilical Cord Blood
Umbilical Cord Tissue
Peripheral blood

Donor Stories

We’re collecting stories from people just like you — donors who wanted to make a difference. Here’s what some of them have to say:

“The research is potentially going to help other mothers and children. I have no use for the placenta and other bits, and I would rather it go to good use.”

"The team were very helpful in outlining what the research was for and why it was important. They were very respectful and didn’t encroach upon our baby’s care at any point. We wanted to help future medical research and to do so with so little disruption was a real bonus."

“I wish people knew how easy and straightforward it is. I would one hundred per cent come back [to BioGrad to donate]. I try and do it [donate] as much as possible. And, it really feels good to be part of something so amazing.”

Your experience could inspire others to join this life-changing work. Want to share your story?

Get in touch with us: clinical@biograd.co.uk / +44 345 565 1725.

Visit Our Clinic

we are based at – 61 Stephenson Way, Liverpool, L13 1HN

We are open Monday to Friday – 9 am to 5 pm.

Contact Us: +44 345 565 1725

We’re always happy to see you, but please call ahead or book an appointment to make sure a member of our clinical team is available.

Visit Our Clinic

we are based at – 61 Stephenson Way, Liverpool, L13 1HN

We are open Monday to Friday – 9 am to 5 pm.

Contact Us: +44 345 565 1725

We’re always happy to see you, but please call ahead or book an appointment to make sure a member of our clinical team is available.

Visit Our Clinic

we are based at – 61 Stephenson Way, Liverpool, L13 1HN

We are open Monday to Friday – 9 am to 5 pm.

Contact Us: +44 345 565 1725

We’re always happy to see you, but please call ahead or book an appointment to make sure a member of our clinical team is available.

What Your Donation Supports

Here’s how your donation could make a difference:

Umbilical Cord Blood

Full of valuable stem cells, cord blood can help researchers:

Advance cell therapy practices through optimised use of banked cord blood units.
Research into gender-based disparities of immunotherapy treatment outcomes & development of novel immune cell based therapies.
Enhance understanding of stem cell biology and neonatal immune system development.

Umbilical Cord Tissue (Stem Cells)

Cord tissue contains stem cells that may:

Support the development of therapies for conditions like infertility, leukaemia, arthritis, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Aid in deriving specific cell lineages for clinical research through cost-effective, scalable protocols.

Menstrual Blood

Rich in stem cells and immune cells, menstrual blood is a powerful and underused resource in science. Donated samples may be used to:

Study women’s health conditions, such as endometriosis and PCOS, which are misunderstood and under-researched.
Explore innovative treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease.
Development of novel diagnostics utilising menstrual blood.

Peripheral Blood

A vital sample for a wide range of studies. It helps researchers:

Harness liquid biopsies for tumour diagnosis, monitoring, and therapeutic development.
Develop blood-derived biomarkers for a multitude of diseases.
Enhance our understanding of other bodily liquids utilising peripheral blood as a benchmark.

Frequently Asked Questions: Donations

View All donation related questions

How long does the online consultation meeting last?

We would recommend allowing an hour for the online consultation, it may take less time than this, but this allows plenty of time for you to ask questions.

Can I choose between at-home sampling or going to a clinic?

It depends on the type of sample being collected. For some types of samples, we offer easy-to-use at-home collection kits. These include:

Breast milk
Menstrual blood
Rectal or stoma swabs
Saliva
Throat & nasal swabs
Urine or catheter samples
Vaginal swabs

For peripheral blood, we will invite you to visit our Liverpool clinic to take the sample. We’ll help coordinate everything for you. If you have any questions or want more information, feel free to contact us.

Can anybody donate?

There are very few restrictions on who can donate samples.

Sample type	Exclusion criteria
Breast Milk	Breast feeding has not become established.
Menstrual Blood	Aged less than 13 years.
Peripheral Blood	Poor peripheral access, no collection from arm with lymph node removal. Anaemia.
Rectal Swab or Stoma Swab	Within three months of bowel surgery.
Saliva	Medications for saliva production or artificial saliva.
Throat & Nasal Swabs	Head and neck trauma, basal skull fracture or suspicion of. Surgery to nose or throat which alters anatomy.
Urine	Case by case basis dependant on source of urine (e.g. MSU, CSU, 24hour collection and urostomy).
Vaginal Swab	Pregnancy, surgery which alters anatomy, Female Genital Mutilation.

Are there any risks to donating?

There are very few risks to donating samples.

Sample type	Associated risk to donor and additional notes
Breast Milk	No additional risk to you, however you may experience some discomfort during the process of expressing breast milk.
Menstrual Blood	There is no risk to collecting menstrual blood, however you may have difficulty with insertion and removal of a menstrual cup. Also, the cup may cause vaginal irritation and has been shown in small number of cases to cause infection and Toxic Shock Syndrome. Please discuss with a healthcare professional if using an Intrauterine Contraceptive Device. The cup should not be used during treatment for vaginal infections.
Peripheral Blood	You may experience a pin prick sensation during the initial insertion of the collection device (needle) into your skin. It is possible that patients will experience discomfort during and immediately after the procedure. This usually settles quite quickly, but if it continues you should tell a medical professional. Bruising or a small lump (haematoma) may develop after taking a sample of blood. Applying firm pressure to the site until the bleeding has stopped should help to minimise this. Bruising is harmless and will disappear with time and does not usually require treatment.
Rectal or Stoma Swabs	There is a risk to you of irritation, trauma, infection, minor bleeding, you may find the collection process uncomfortable, risk of ingestion of sample preservative if you do not follow instructions correctly
Saliva	No risks to you however you may find the collection process difficult and risk of ingestion of sample preservative if you do not follow instructions correctly.
Throat & Nasal Swabs	There is the risk of trauma to your nose and throat, you may find the collection process uncomfortable, risk of ingestion of sample preservative if you do not follow instructions correctly.
Urine; Catheter Sample	There are no risks to collecting a urine sample however you may find the collection process difficult. If you have a catheter there may be an increased risk of infection.
Vaginal Swab	There is a risk of vaginal irritation, trauma, infection, discomfort, risk of ingestion of sample preservative if you do not follow instructions correctly.

I have a medical condition, can I donate?

If your healthcare provider feels it is safe for you to donate, we will be happy to accept your sample. It might be beneficial for researchers to have samples from people with existing medical conditions. If we have any doubt, we may reach out to your healthcare provider to confirm that it is safe for you to do so.

How much reimbursement will I get?

Reimbursement varies by sample and will be worth between £10.00 – £100.00. The exact amount will be discussed with you at your online consultation.

Will anybody know I have donated?

All samples are anonymised and researchers using your samples will not know that you have donated. BioGrad will store your identifying information in our access restricted clinical database.

Can I change my mind?

Yes, you can change your mind at any time. If you already have donated samples and wish to rescind your consent, we will destroy all samples that we hold for you and your personal information.

Can I donate more than one sample?

You can donate more than one sample if you fit the inclusion criteria or you can donate the same sample more than once, i.e. regular monthly menstrual blood donations.

I don’t see the answer to my question here?

If you don’t see the answer to your question, please read our patient information leaflet or make a note of it and ask us at your online consultation meeting.

Sample Donation Donor Information Sheet

Parent and Guardian Sample Donation Donor Information

Your Rights and Privacy

We prioritise your privacy and well-being at every stage. We believe in transparency, confidentiality, and informed consent. Our bioethical approach ensures:

Transparency: We are fully open about how your sample and data will be used.

Respect for Your Consent: Your sample is governed by your explicit consent, and you can change your mind at any time.

Confidentiality: Your personal information and identity will always be protected.

We adhere to the highest bioethical standards to ensure your donation experience is both secure and meaningful.