Donation
Let’s save a life
What you should know when it’s time to donate
Remember, we're here for you throughout this process, and your health is a top priority. Learn what donating is like, from the procedure through recovery.
Two ways to donate
The patient’s doctor chooses which of the methods below is best for their patient. They’ll tell you which donation method they’re requesting and why. Some donors are asked to travel to a donation site. We'll cover all your costs should you be asked to travel. We’ll work to accommodate your schedule and give you as much notice as possible.
Peripheral blood stem cell donation (PBSC)
90% of donations are PBSC donations where no surgery is needed. You'll receive five days of injections of a drug called filgrastim or an FDA-approved similar to increase the number of blood-forming cells in your bloodstream.
Donation is performed through a process called apheresis, where the donor's blood is removed through a needle in one arm and passed through a machine that separates out the blood-forming cells. Blood is then returned to the donor through the other arm.
Watch a doctor and a donor talk PBSC donation
How long does this stage take?
The procedure takes four to eight hours at an outpatient clinic.
Pain and side effects
Donors may experience headaches or bone and muscle pain for a few days as a side effect of the filgrastim or its FDA-approved similars. During donation, some donors experience tingling around the mouth, fingers and toes and mild muscle cramps.
Common side effects after donation include:
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Bruising at the needle site
Most symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter pain medicine.
Potential risks
Less than 1% of PBSC donors experience a serious side effect from the donation process.
Occasionally, if a donor doesn’t have suitable arm veins, we’ll use a vein from the leg (femoral) or neck (jugular or clavical) instead. Complications from this are also rare.
All risk information is discussed at your information session and can be found in your donation consent forms.
Recovery
Recovery for every donor is a little different. Some feel sore or more tired than usual for about a week after donating. Most say they're back to their regular lives within just a few days.
How long until you can return to work?
Usually, the more physically demanding a job, the longer the recovery. If your job involves a lot of heavy lifting and moving around, it might be closer to seven days. If you have a less physically demanding job, you might be able to return the next day.
You'll find more information about recovery in your donation consent forms.
Bone marrow donation
10% of donations are marrow donations, a surgical procedure done under general anesthesia. During this surgery, doctors use a small needle to withdraw liquid marrow from the back of the pelvic bone.
Watch a doctor and a donor talk bone marrow donation
How long does this stage take?
Typically, donors are at the hospital from early morning to late afternoon or occasionally overnight for observation.
Pain and side effects
There’s no pain during the collection procedure while under general anesthesia.
Most marrow donors experience some side effects after donation, such as:
- Back or hip pain
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Bruising at the incision site
Most symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter pain medicine.
Potential risks
2.4% of donors experience a serious complication due to anesthesia or damage to bone, nerve or muscle in their hip region. Common side effects of general anesthesia include sore throat or mild nausea and vomiting.
All risk information is discussed at your information session and can be found in your donation consent forms.
Recovery
It's a little different for everyone. Usually, it takes around 20 days to fully recover. Most donors are back to life as usual within one to seven days.
How long until you can return to work?
Usually, the more physically demanding a job, the longer the recovery. If your job involves a lot of heavy lifting and moving around, it might be closer to seven days. If you have a less physically demanding job, you might be able to return the next day.
You'll find more information about recovery in your donation consent forms.
What happens next
Post-donation follow-ups
Your health and safety are important to us. Your specialist will follow up with you after donation to see how you’re feeling. You’ll be contacted on a regular basis until you report a full recovery.
If you experience any side effects that might be related to the donation, be sure to contact your donor center as soon as possible.
