The Initial Steps: From Registration to Confirmation
For many patients with life-threatening blood disorders, a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant is their best, and sometimes only, hope for survival. If you are a potential donor, the process begins long before the actual donation day.
First, you must register with a national registry by providing a cheek swab for tissue typing. If your tissue type is a close match for a patient in need, you will be contacted by a registry representative. At this point, you will undergo more detailed testing and attend an information session to learn about the process, risks, and benefits. A final physical exam and blood tests ensure that the donation is safe for both you and the patient.
The Surgical Procedure for Bone Marrow Donation
If a bone marrow donation is requested—this occurs in only about 10% of cases, primarily for children or patients with specific conditions—you will go to a hospital for a surgical procedure.
On the day of donation:
- You will be given either general anesthesia, meaning you'll be completely unconscious, or regional anesthesia, which numbs the lower body. {Link: NMDP https://www.nmdp.org/get-involved/join-the-registry/donate-bone-marrow} Doctors will use sterile needles to withdraw liquid marrow from your pelvic bone. The procedure usually lasts 1 to 2 hours. A small amount of your total marrow is collected, so it won't affect your immune system or health.
Recovery and Side Effects
After the procedure, you'll be monitored in a recovery room. Many donors are discharged the same day, while some stay overnight. Common side effects include fatigue and pain in the back or hip. Pain relievers can help with discomfort, and your body replaces the donated marrow within weeks. The registry will follow up with you until you are fully recovered.
Donating Bone Marrow vs. Peripheral Blood Stem Cells (PBSC)
It is important to differentiate between the two primary methods of donating blood-forming cells. While often referred to as "bone marrow donation," the vast majority (about 90%) of donations today are through PBSC. For a detailed comparison of the procedures, preparation, side effects, and recovery times for bone marrow donation and PBSC donation, please refer to the table below and the referenced sources.
| Feature | Bone Marrow Donation (Marrow Harvest) | Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) Donation |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure | Surgical procedure performed under anesthesia. | Non-surgical outpatient procedure similar to donating plasma. |
| Collection Site | Liquid marrow is withdrawn from the back of the pelvic bone. | Blood is drawn from one arm, passed through a machine to collect stem cells, and returned through the other arm. |
| Preparation | No special preparation required beyond the standard medical evaluation. | Daily injections of a growth factor (filgrastim) for 4-5 days leading up to donation to move stem cells into the bloodstream. |
| Side Effects | Back or hip pain, fatigue, sore throat. | Headaches, bone or muscle aches, and fatigue (from filgrastim injections), which resolve shortly after donation. |
| Recovery | {Link: NMDP https://www.nmdp.org/get-involved/join-the-registry/donate-bone-marrow} | {Link: NMDP https://www.nmdp.org/get-involved/join-the-registry/donate-bone-marrow} |
The Life-Changing Impact of Your Decision
For a patient, receiving a bone marrow transplant can be a life-saving miracle. Your commitment to the process provides hope where there may have been none. While the physical side effects for a donor are temporary, the emotional rewards are long-lasting. Most registries provide long-term follow-up to check on the donor's health and emotional well-being. For more information on the process and to register, consider visiting the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), also known as Be The Match.
Your act of generosity gives a patient a second chance at life. The registry prioritizes your safety and well-being.
