Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

I joined the donor registry in 1996 and got an urgent voicemail and letter yesterday that I am a strong match for a 27 year old woman. I'll call on Monday to find out more, but was wondering if anyone had any personal experience. My husband is not too thrilled about me donating, but I think that if 17 years have gone by and this is the first call I've gotten there must be a very small chance of being a match. How could I not? Thanks in advance.

Message edited 6/15/2013 8:02:16 PM.

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

My sister-in-law was a match for someone. Apparently, she was a perfect match for a 28 year old man who was suffering from the same condition her grandfather died from..so she instantly agreed to the donation.
The process, as they explained it to her, can be painful, and the recovery after they take the marrow is about 1-2 weeks. They were covering all travel and medical expenses, and would make it as convenient for her as possible. She was all set to do it.
Unfortunately, it never went through because the man's medical condition worsened and he wasn't able to go through with the surgery....but they're keeping her in mind in case he gets better.

Such an amazing thing to do for someone!
I was so inspired by her that I became a bone marrow donor.

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

I thought it was a procedure that has improved with technology..that maybe its not as invasive as it once was? I believe its extracted out of the spine?

Going to look into it again for myself b/c I had considered it years ago and my father scared me to death thinking it was some awfully painful procedure to undergo.

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

There are varying methods, some more invasive (and painful) than others.

DH was a donor 2 years ago, but his recipient's treatment only required a non-invasive procedure for him (I'm blanking on what it was called!). He was on drugs for 3 weeks to stimulate the production of stem cells - then the donation was a 2-day process of them taking blood from one arm, spinning it and pulling out the stem cells and white blood cells, and putting in back in his other arm. He was left tired and quite sick (predicted), but was back to work a week or two later.

He'd do it again a million times over....and having watched him go through it, I'd do it in a heart beat. We get updates every few months on the recipient - and we look forward to them like crazy. It's a great feeling.

Good luck with your decision!

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

Yes..its this method or where they take a large needle and withdraw it from your hip. that requires general anesthesia, but supposedly a quick procedure and healing is 1-2 weeks.


I've seen this done in the hospital at the bedside, with llidocaine (like the dentist uses to numb you when you have a cavity filled) with a large needle and no anesthesia..but that was for a biopsy, I don't know if they put you out for a donation, I guess it depends on how much they need? The patients described it as painful even with the local anesthesia, I have no idea how painful it is afterwards if you go under general.

Just a fun fact: the reciepients blood type will change over to the donors type

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

No experience, but I think it's awesome you are considering it.

I too recently decided to donate after reading of a little boy in my town who had leukemia, and the family lost their home in Sandy. This was what the mom put out there in the media, as being helpful for their family though.

I can't believe so many years go by after you donate!


I guess it does show that even a tiny needle in a haystack can create a huge miracle.

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

I dont know....but If I called I would not hesitate.

Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

I am registered & would not hesitate either. As you said now being called after so many years, you know how rare it is to have a match. What if this will save his life???

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

I don't know much about it other than it's about 1-2 weeks of soreness.

That's awesome that you got a match! I've been on since about 95-96 too. It must be an amazing feeling to think that you can change someone's life for the better like that!

Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

They say its so rare to be a match, that most people never get called in their lifetime. I also wouldn't hesitate.

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

I'm signed up to be a donor but I don't know anyone who has actually been a donor. When I signed up the woman told me that they don't like to use donors who have given birth - something about having carried a child makes you less than ideal - no idea if that is true or not

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

Please do not hesitate. My mom was diagnosed with ALL back in December. Unfortunately there is no match for her in the whole world. She just underwent a half donor and cord transplant.

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

No experience but wishing you great thoughts! I hope it all works out!

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

If you were called def do it. It's very rare to be called. Unless you have family or work obligations that prevent you and in that case please pull your name from the list

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

I think it's amazing that you were called and I hope you are able to go ahead with it!

My cousin was a match for my other cousin (her brother who had Lukemia) and obviously she did it. If I remember correctly, it took quite a while (she was definitely exhausted and wanted to pee soooo bad) but otherwise, I don't think it was THAT bad. She was awake - I think it was a needle from her spine (though I could be mistaken.)

It went VERY well though ultimately, a few months later, my cousin with the Leukemia ended up with a lung infection which he was unable to recover from.
But it's such an amazing thing to try and do for another person.

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

That's truly amazing you were called, I've been on the registry a few years and would feel so blessed if I could help someone.

Please keep us updated. You will be helping to save someone's life.

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

You just reminded me that I never put my registry status on hold (due to being pg) so I went to the website and saw this:


What Happens when You are Contacted as a Possible Match

What to Expect if Asked to Donate

Message edited 6/17/2013 11:31:50 AM.

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

PLEASE do not hesitate to potentially save a life. My husband had a stem cell transplant last February after being diagnosed with AML (leukemia). As others mentioned there are two ways to donate. Bone marrow (taken from the spine and usually requires 1 day hospital stay) or more popular nowadays is a stem cell transplant. You get neupogen shots for about a week prior which stimulate the production of stem cells, then similar to donating platelets, they draw your blood, remove the stem cells, and the rest of your blood goes back to you.

If you have any questions feel free to FM me.

Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

There are two ways to obtain bone marrow the one where you are under anesthesia is only 20% of the time.

The other is you receive daily injections for 5 days to build up your t-cells. The 6th day you go to the facility and it's almost like donating blood - the blood comes out of an IV and is processed to remove the t-cells. Your blood plus some saline goes back into your other arm in an IV.

A friend of mine just did it 3 weeks ago. He said he took some Aleve and was fine the next day.

If you have the opportunity to help save someone's life, do it. It's a small price to pay for what you will be giving to someone.

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

Thanks everyone! I started the process on Weds with just a regular blood test to confirm a 100% match and to make sure that I'm healthy enough (I've had auto-immune issues in the past.) I'll keep you posted.

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

Re: Does anyone know anything about being a Bone Marrow donor?

I had a little boy in my class who had aplastic anemia. His life was saved because luckily his brother was a match... more recently I watched a documentary on 20/20 about the dire need for donors- one woman had another child with the hopes it would be a match for her daughter- and she ended up having twins with the same condition. I would absolutely do it and what a great person you are for doing so. After I am done with this pregnancy I am also becoming a donor.

Good luck!!