Bone Marrow Donation

What is bone marrow donation?

The space inside our bones has a spongy tissue called bone marrow that makes our blood. Certain types of leukemia or lymphoma may be cured by bone marrow transplant (BMT). A BMT involves the use of healthy bone marrow to replace diseased marrow.

The transplanted marrow may be donated by someone like a relative or friend. In many cases, the marrow comes from a total stranger.

If you're interested in how to go about donating bone marrow, read on.

Who can donate bone marrow?

Healthy volunteers who have no major medical problems can donate bone marrow. You will have to see your doctor for a check-up before donating.

How do you donate bone marrow?

You can start by joining the registry at the National Marrow Donor Program, which lists all the willing donors. Doctors are able to look on that registry to see if you have the needed blood type.

The process of donating bone marrow requires surgery. After you're put to sleep (general anesthesia), a special needle is used to get the marrow from your hip bone. You may get a transfusion of your own blood, which you can donate before surgery.

How long does the procedure take?

The surgery takes only a few hours, but you may be in the hospital for several days to recover.

What are the risks?

Like any other surgery, the common risks are infection and bleeding. You may need a blood transfusion (if you donated your own blood before the surgery, you will receive that first). There is also a very small risk of injuring other organs. Other risks, including death, are very rare.

Donating bone marrow may save someone's life, so it can be very rewarding. Start by joining the national registry.

Sources:

American Cancer Society

National Cancer Institute

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

National Marrow Donor Program

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.