adapted by me from NMDP Website
Q: How is a bone marrow match determined?
A: Doctors look for a donor who matches their patient's tissue type, specifically their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tissue type. HLA are proteins-- or markers-- found on most cells in your body. Your immune system uses these markers to recognize which cells belong in your body and which do not. The closer the match between the patient's HLA markers and yours the better for the patients.
Q: How do I donate?
A: Join the NMDP Registry. All it takes to join the registry is a few minutes of paper work (you will be asked to fill out a health questionnaire and to sign a form stating that you understand the commitment you are making), and a small sample of blood or a swab of cheek cells for tissue typing.
Q: What happens if I match a person?
A: More testing will be done (either a blood sample or cheek swab, again, will be taken and stored) to determine if you are the best possible match for the patient. At this stage, the likelihood of you being selected as the "best" possible match is 1 in 12. If you are selected as the best match you will be scheduled to attend an information session to learn about the donation process, risks and side effects.
***NOTE: Participating in additional testing is your decision, and is conducted at no cost to you.
Did you know?
- Each year 35,000 people are diagnosed with blood cancers that can be treated by a bone marrow or cord blood transplant;
- Only 30 percent will find a donor match within their family'
- The remaining 70 percent must search the NMDP Registry for a match;
- 6,000 men, women and children search the Registry daily
Join the more than 11 million worldwide who stand ready to save a life!
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