How To Become A Bone Marrow Donor | National Bone Marrow Drive

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What is my commitment if I register?
If you register as a potential marrow donor, you make a voluntary commitment to:

Be listed on the National Registry until your 61st birthday, unless you ask to be removed
Consider donating to any searching patient who matches your tissue type
Keep the donor center updated if any of your contact information changes

How do I register to become a marrow donor?

You must be between the ages of 18 and 55 and meet the eligibility requirements.
You need to complete a registration form and sign a donor consent form.
Then a collection of cheek cells using a cotton-tipped swab is taken or a teaspoon of blood is drawn (administered by a professional phlebotomist) and sent to a lab to be tested to determine your tissue type.
Your data is then entered into the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) registry in anonymous form, so doctors can search for a donor for their patient(s). You are listed on the National Registry until your 61st birthday, unless you asked to be removed.
YOUR INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL

What are the basic eligibility requirements to register as a marrow donor?

Be between the ages of 18 and 55
Not be HIV positive or at risk for AIDS
Not have severe heart disease
Not have a history of cancer *
Not have severe asthma (daily inhalers are acceptable)
Not have diabetes requiring insulin
Not have hepatitis
Not have epilepsy
Not have chronic or severe back problems or surgery
Not have autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis

* Cervical, breast and bladder cancer (stage 0,) and cured skin cancer are acceptable

Is there a cost associated with registering as a donor?

It costs $65 to type one person’s tissue. Pat is working with DKMS to help you register at no cost! DKMS does not require the donor to cover the typing fee; however we do rely on donations to help with this cost.

Any contribution you make to pay for tissue-typing costs is greatly appreciated and is tax deductible.