Donor Network West Launches Birth Tissue Donation Program for Expecting Mothers at Carson Tahoe Health
Parents Ashley and Clinton Rickman were the first participants to say yes to birth tissue donation after the delivery of their baby, Frejya, as part of Donor Network West’s donation program at Carson Tahoe Health
Mothers who choose to donate birth tissue after childbirth have the power to provide healing to patients in need as well as further scientific research.
CARSON CITY, Nev. (Feb. 28, 2025) — Donor Network West announces a new birth tissue donation program at Carson Tahoe Health, allowing mothers to donate their placenta following childbirth. These tissues, which are typically discarded after delivery, can instead be donated for transplantation, research and education.
As the only federally-designated organ procurement organization serving northern Nevada, Donor Network West is partnering with Carson Tahoe Health in Carson City, Nevada to offer the birth tissue donation program to expecting mothers. Moms who give birth via c-section or vaginal delivery are eligible. Birth tissue donation is a type of living donation, and poses no risk to a mother’s or baby’s health.
“Donor Network West genuinely appreciates our healthcare partners at Carson Tahoe Health, in allowing us to offer mothers this option for donation that can heal and save others’ lives,” said Matt Graves, vice president of donor operations for northern Nevada at Donor Network West. “At no cost to mothers, Donor Network West’s birth tissue donation program offers a powerful way to give more people a chance to live with less pain and fewer health issues. We’re proud to extend the generosity shown by moms who choose to donate their birth tissue and help those in need of life-altering treatments.”
Tissue donation is often used for healing treatments and helps end unnecessary suffering––and the need is significant. One in 20 Americans require some type of tissue transplant each year due to injuries, disease or surgical reconstruction. Donated birth tissue can be used to heal patients in several ways, including in the treatment of painful wounds and burns, reconstructive surgeries and spinal procedures to alleviate pain from scar tissue.
Ashley and Clinton Rickman were the first parents to say yes to donation as part of Donor Network West’s birth tissue donation program at Carson Tahoe Health.
“We said yes because it helps so many people with an organ that would normally just be discarded,” said Ashley and Clinton Rickman, parents to Freyja, who was born Feb. 18 at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. “Thank you for the opportunity to give back!”
One donor can have a significant impact. A single placenta can create up to 100 tissue grafts for patients in need. Birth tissue donation also supports the development of new treatments and scientific research.
Working with its hospital partners, Donor Network West provides education for expecting moms on birth tissue donation. Its donation team works with mothers who have opted in to participate in the program throughout the process, answers questions and helps complete paperwork. Birth tissue recovery occurs after the baby is delivered, with no additional procedures needed from the birth mom. Donor Network West coordinates the packaging and transportation of the donated tissue, which otherwise would be disposed of.
To learn more about birth tissue donation, visit DonorNetworkWest.org.