What things could hold you back from being a bone marrow donor?!


Question: What things could hold you back from being a bone marrow donor?
I am going this Saturday to be tested to possibly be a bone marrow donor. I am an internet moron and cannot find info about the donors themselves. I have several people who are wanting to go with me to be tested, but they are not sure if they can.

My question/s are can people who do these donate if they are found to be a match. (Mind you not all of these are about me, but about my group)

Smoke -

Drug use years ago -

Who faithfully donates blood -

Donates Plasma -

Overweight -

Diabetic -

Underweight -

Does the donor have to have insurance -

An age limit -

Thank you so much for helping me get the info.

Answers:

These are the basic guidelines for the National Marrow Donor Program (USA):

http://www.marrow.org/JOIN/Med_Guideline…

You should find answers to all your questions there, except drugs and smoking. I'm not sure of the implications of those activities. However, there should be a contact for the NMDP that you can email to ask.

I'm pretty sure you don't need insurance as the program will cover all medical costs related to the screening process and donation if you are selected.

Also, I am not sure about the US, but in the UK they ask that if you sign up to be a donor you only donate blood/plasma twice a year. This is so you will always have enough "store" in case you are called to be a donor. I can't find the info with the NMDP but again, they should have an email address to contact them.

(Edit to add: The NMDP people are great and they will answer your emails quickly :) )

-trained with Anthony Nolan trust (UK marrow donation registry)
-family involvement w/ NMDP



The only set-in-stone exclusion criteria are bloodborne infectious diseases like HIV, and autoimmune diseases like lupus, as those can be transmitted to your recipient. Any other factor is taken in consideration relative to the risk to the donor and the risk to the recipient, in the RARE occasion you are called to donate after joining the registry: most people are never called.



For the most part, the only things that matter are age, general health, and lack of any diseases that might be passed on. Details at the link:

http://www.livingdonorsonline.org/marrow…



ask the people who will be handling this procedure. they know.




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