Donating bone marrow is a selfless act that can save someone’s life. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside bones that produces red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
People with certain diseases or undergoing certain treatments, such as chemotherapy, may need a bone marrow transplant to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow.
By donating your bone marrow, you can provide a life-saving treatment for someone in need. According to the National Marrow Donor Program, about 17,500 people in the US are diagnosed with a disease that requires a bone marrow transplant each year.
Only 30% of patients have a compatible donor within their family, so the majority must rely on unrelated donors.
Who Can Donate Bone Marrow?
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 44 can register to become a bone marrow donor. However, there are certain eligibility requirements that must be met, including:.
- Being in good general health
- Not having a history of certain medical conditions, such as cancer or autoimmune diseases
- Not engaging in high-risk activities, such as intravenous drug use or unprotected sex
- Being willing to donate to any patient in need, regardless of race or ethnicity
How to Donate Bone Marrow
There are two methods of bone marrow donation:.
Bone Marrow Donation
In a bone marrow donation, the donor is put under general anesthesia and a doctor makes multiple small incisions in the hip bone to remove the liquid marrow.
The procedure takes about an hour and the donor may experience discomfort and fatigue for a few days afterwards.
Blood Stem Cell Donation
In a blood stem cell donation, the donor is given injections of a medication to increase the number of blood stem cells in their bloodstream.
These cells are then collected through a process called apheresis, which involves drawing blood from one arm, separating out the stem cells, and returning the rest of the blood to the other arm. This process takes about 4-6 hours and may cause temporary side effects like headache or nausea.
How to Register as a Bone Marrow Donor
Registering as a bone marrow donor is simple and can be done online or in person. The two main organizations that facilitate bone marrow donations in the US are the National Marrow Donor Program and Be The Match.
Online Registration
To register online, visit the websites of the National Marrow Donor Program or Be The Match. You will be asked to provide some basic personal information and will be sent a cheek swab kit in the mail to collect a sample of your DNA.
Once your tissue type is added to the registry, you will be contacted if you are a match for someone in need.
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Become a Bone Marrow Donor
In-Person Registration
You can also register in person at various events or blood drives. A healthcare professional will collect a cheek swab and provide you with further information about the donation process.
You can find upcoming events in your area on the websites of the National Marrow Donor Program or Be The Match.
The Importance of Diversity in Bone Marrow Donation
It is important for bone marrow donors to represent the diversity of the population in order to increase the chances of finding a match for everyone in need.
Patients are most likely to find a match within their own racial or ethnic group, so it is crucial for people of all backgrounds to register as donors.
In the past, some patients of mixed ethnic backgrounds had difficulty finding matches because they were underrepresented in the bone marrow registry.
However, recent efforts to recruit more donors from diverse backgrounds have led to increased success rates for these patients.
The Myths and Misconceptions of Bone Marrow Donation
Despite the life-saving potential of bone marrow donation, there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding the process.
Myth: Bone marrow donation is painful.
While bone marrow donation may cause some discomfort and soreness, the use of anesthesia and modern medical techniques have made the procedure relatively painless.
Myth: I might contract a disease from donating bone marrow.
The donation process is done under sterile conditions and does not pose a risk of contracting any diseases.
Myth: It is expensive to donate bone marrow.
The cost of the donation process is covered by the recipient’s medical insurance or the National Marrow Donor Program, so there is no expense to the donor.
The Gift of Life
Donating bone marrow is a way to give the incredible gift of life to someone in need.
By registering as a donor and spreading awareness of the importance of diversity in the registry, we can help ensure that every patient has the chance to find a compatible match and receive the life-saving treatment they need.
