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Donating
Bone Marrow
Why Register to Donate Bone Marrow?
Every year, thousands of adults and children need bone
marrow transplants -- a procedure which may be their only chance for survival. Although
some patients with aplastic anemia, leukemia or other cancers have a genetically matched
family member who can donate, about 70 percent do not. These patients' lives depend on
finding an unrelated individual with a compatible tissue type - generally within their own
ethnic group -- who is willing to donate marrow.
Since 1987, the National Marrow Donor Program
(NMDP) has
facilitated more than 7,400 unrelated marrow transplants. In the North Florida, South
Georgia region, more than 3,000 volunteers have given blood samples to join NMDP's
registry of potential donors.
There is a critical need for more volunteer minority donors. Many patients, especially
people of color, cannot find a compatible donor among those on the registry. Patients and
donors must have matching tissue types, and these matches are found most often between
people of the same ethnic group. A large, ethnically diverse group of prospective donors
will give more patients a chance for survival.
What is Bone Marrow?
Marrow is the tissue found inside bones that produces stem
cells which in turn develop into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. These
vital blood cells fight infection, carry oxygen and help control bleeding. Any disease
that attacks the bone marrow can eliminate the body's ability to protect itself.
Who Can Donate Marrow?
If you are in good health and between the ages of 18 and
60, you may be eligible to join the NMDP's registry, where patients seeking a compatible
donor begin their search.
Steps to Joining the Registry:
- The Southeastern Community Blood Center Bone Marrow Donor
Program registers volunteers who wish to join the registry. After completing a
questionnaire, a small sample of blood is drawn and your inherited tissue type (HLA, or
human leukocyte antigen type) is determined.
- The laboratory results are entered into the NMDP's registry,
a computerized database of potential donors.
Steps to Donating Marrow:
- If you match the tissue type of a patient seeking a donor,
additional testing will confirm the results. You will meet with marrow donor counselors at
the Blood Center who will help you make an informed decision about donating marrow.
- The marrow collection process usually does not require an
overnight stay in the hospital. The procedure itself is painless, because it is performed
under anesthesia. But, for an average of two weeks following the procedure, most donors
experience soreness in their lower back and some may restrict their activities. Most
donors also report that donating marrow is a very positive experience. Many marrow donors
are willing to donate again in the future.
- The donated marrow is transfused to the patient, whose
diseased cells have been destroyed by intensive chemotherapy. In time, the donated marrow
engrafts and begins producing healthy blood cells.
 Why are More People of Color Needed?
Because patients are most likely to find a compatible donor within their own
ethnic group, a diverse group of potential donors is needed. Over 3 million volunteers
have joined the national registry, but only a small percentage are people of color.
Percentage of ethnic groups on the national registry
| African American |
7.8% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander |
5.7% |
| Hispanic |
7.1% |
| Native American |
1.6% |
| Caucasian |
71.5% |
Funding
When someone volunteers to join the national registry of
potential donors, a blood sample is taken and is tissue-typed. This test costs $50.
Because funding is limited and the need to diversify the registry is so critical, the NMDP
has obtained grants to pay the fee for people of ethnic minorities. A fee for the test is
collected from Caucasian volunteers who wish to join the registry. Once a donor is found
to match a patient, all expenses are paid for by the NMDP.
How Can I Join the Registry?
If you live in North Florida, South Georgia and would like
to join the registry, call the Southeastern Community Blood Center at 850-877-7181 ext.
171.
If you live in another area of the United States, call the
National Marrow
Donor Program at 1-800-MARROW-2.
Revised:
02/16/05
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