Step 1: Registration
- Sign Up: Join the registry by filling out a form and providing a simple cheek swab sample.
- Quick & Easy: This swab is all that’s needed to check if you’re a potential match.
Step 2: Match Found!
- Notification: If you’re a match, you’ll be contacted to confirm if you’re still willing to donate.
- Health Check: You’ll undergo a physical exam to ensure you’re ready to donate safely.
Step 3: The Donation Process
- Two Methods: Bone marrow donations are done either through the bloodstream (PBSC) or directly from the hip bone.
- PBSC (Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Donation): A non-surgical method where stem cells are collected from your blood, similar to donating plasma.
- Bone Marrow Collection: A quick, surgical procedure done under anesthesia to collect cells from the hip bone.
Step 4: Life-Saving Impact
- Stem Cells Transplanted: Your donation provides life-saving cells to patients in need.
- Recovery: You can go home the same day in most cases, with only minor soreness.
