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Someone you love wants to donate? We’ve got this, together.
Be The Match has facilitated more than 111,000 blood stem cell transplants over the past 35 years. And for many patients, this transplant is the only hope for a second chance at life.
You and the donor are a priority, and we’re here for you every step of the way. Learn what’s involved in preparing for donation and the donation process itself.
“My first concern was still my daughter.”
When Jurnee decided to donate blood stem cells, her mother had questions. See what she learned and how she was able to support her daughter during donation.Preparing for donation
We’ll help the donor get ready to save a life. Here’s what to expect.
45-minute call with a specialist
We’ll perform a health screening, confirm the donor’s contact information and schedule a blood draw. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss any concerns they have.
Information session
We’ll talk the donor through the donation and recovery process, including potential risks and side effects, and answer any questions they have. At the end of the session, they’ll be asked to sign a consent form confirming their commitment to move forward.
Physical exam
A doctor will perform a physical exam, including blood tests and possibly a chest X-ray and electrocardiogram (EKG). These tests are necessary for the safety of the donor and the patient.
Blood testing
The donor will be asked to provide blood samples so that no infectious diseases will be transmitted to the patient.
Two ways to donate
The patient's doctor chooses the method that's best. They'll let the donor know which of the two ways described below they've requested and why. We try to work around the donor's schedule and give them time to prepare.
Peripheral blood stem cell donation (PBSC)
90% of donations are PBSC donations where no surgery is needed. Injections of a drug called filgrastim or an FDA-approved similar are given over the course of five days to increase the number of blood-forming cells in the donor's 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.
Recovery
It can be different for everyone. Some donors feel a little sore or more tired than usual for about a week after donating, but most say they’re back to their regular lives within just a few days.
Watch a doctor and a donor talk PBSC donation
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.
Recovery
It can be different for everyone. Usually, it takes around 20 days to fully recover. Most donors are back at work, school and other activities within one to seven days.
Watch a doctor and a donor talk bone marrow donation
Let’s answer some common questions
PBSC donation: Donors may experience headaches or bone and muscle pain, similar to a cold or the flu, for several days before collection. These are side effects of the injections of filgrastim or its FDA-approved similars and disappear shortly after donation. Other common side effects are nausea, trouble sleeping and fatigue. Less than one percent (0.6%) of donors experience serious side effects from filgrastim.
During donation, some donors experience tingling around the mouth, fingers and toes and mild muscle cramps. This is caused by the anticoagulant (blood thinner) used in the apheresis procedure. These symptoms are easily treated with calcium replacement or by slowing down the procedure. Other common side effects include bruising at the needle site, chills and a decrease in blood platelet count. Platelets will return to normal and the body regenerates marrow within about six weeks.
Marrow donation: The donor experiences no pain during the collection procedure while under general anesthesia.
Most marrow donors experience some side effects after donation, which commonly include:
- Back or hip pain
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Bruising at the incision site
It's free. All medical costs for the procedure are covered by Be The Match. We never bill your insurance. Travel expenses and other non-medical costs, including lost wages, are also covered.
It varies. The process is spread out over a four-to-six-week period, not including travel time. Most donors are asked to travel during the process.