Qualifications for Donating Bone Marrow

Bone marrow transplants are often used as a treatment for certain cancers and other diseases. Some transplants can be done from the patient's own marrow, but most require a donation of bone marrow from a family member or an unknown donor. Despite the source of donated marrow, the donor must be prescreened and fulfill several eligibility requirements before being allowed to donate.

General Requirements

• To even be considered as a donor, an individual must be between 18 and 60 years old and in overall good health. Specific height and weight guidelines also must be met. Severely obese individuals run the risk of complications and are therefore not considered good donors. A prospective donor must not have ever tested positive to or suffer from HIV/AIDS or any form of Hepatitis.

Medical and Social History

• Once a prospective donor meets the general physical requirements, he will be asked extensive questions about medical background. The screening physician will want to know if the donor has ever had any surgeries or extensive illnesses. A donor will also have to disclose any prescription medications he is taking and whether he has ever experienced abdominal bleeding or any complications from general or local anesthesia. Questions about the prospective donor's social history will be important as well. Transfusions of any kind, tattoos, piercings and the use of needles not prescribed by a physician all impact the donor's eligibility.

ABO and Tissue Typing

• Once a prospective donor has cleared the general health evaluation and medical history, the physician will perform tests to asses the individual's blood. ABO typing and tissue typing of protein markers found in the cells will be performed. In the case of bone marrow, HLA or Human Leukocyte Antigen is extremely important. This type of protein assists the immune system in determining the presence of foreign tissues and initiates the attack on them. The closer the HLA match, the better for the recipient.