Has anyone been a bone marrow donor?

[mumom95]

I got a call yesterday from the National Bone Marrow organization that I am a possible match for someone with leukemia. I go on Monday to have more blood drawn to see if I'm a perfect match.

I was wondering if anyone on the DIS has ever done this before and if so, what's it like. I don't know where this person lives, but if I am a match, will I have to travel to where they are? How does the financial aspect work? Will I be expected to pay for my expenses or does the other person cover it?

I thought I read at some point that more times than not when you get the initial call that you are a possible match, you end up not being a perfect match. Is this true?

I know if I'm a match I will get all these questions answered, I'm just starting this thread because I'm curious and not very patient. Plus, I figured half the country is going to be snowed in this weekend, so people may have nothing better to do than answer questions on the DIS.

And please don't think because I asked the financial questions it means I wouldn't consider doing this because of that. As long as we could afford it, I wouldn't hesitate.

 

[KathyTX]

I don't know any of those answers, but wanted to say what a blessing to find that you may be able to help someone! I've been on the marrow donor list for many years, but never have been called as a potential match.

There is a pretty good FAQ that describes the process and financial responsibilities (the donor shouldn't have any) here: Marrow Donor FAQ

 

[MinnieTink]

I don't have experience with this but I just wanted to tell you I think you are wonderful for doing this. My best friend passed away at age 21, her only sibling was not a match, and no Match was found before it was too late. I wish you all the best and please keep us posted.

 

[mumom95]

I don't know any of those answers, but wanted to say what a blessing to find that you may be able to help someone! I've been on the marrow donor list for many years, but never have been called as a potential match.

I almost feel bad about saying this, because it means someone is sick, but I really do hope I'm a match. I can't imagine a greater gift I could give someone (although, I'm sad that someone has to be sick for me to give this gift).

I've been on the donor list since 1997 and this is the first time I've ever been called.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Hi. Our niece was a match and donated this past year.

All expenses were covered. There was a coordinator from the match program (don't remember the name) that coordinated everything and was there the day of retrieval. Everything was done at a local hospital and then the donated products were transported to whereever the patient was. She was able to choose from several local hospitals.

Our niece could not say no once she found out she was a match, and went through the whole process with a generous heart. It is not easy, but obviously not as bad as what the patient goes through. It involved her getting injections that caused her discomfort and the retrieval procedure. I don't want to put you off or scare you, it wasn't terrible but not a walk in the park either.

We all feel that her donation will bring blessings to her and of course, if one of us was sick and needed the donation, we would pray for a match and that they donate. We do know that the patient received the donation but besides that don't get any updates. We pray that it worked for him.

 

[mumom95]

Hi. Our niece was a match and donated this past year.

All expenses were covered. There was a coordinator from the match program (don't remember the name) that coordinated everything and was there the day of retrieval. Everything was done at a local hospital and then the donated products were transported to whereever the patient was. She was able to choose from several local hospitals.

Our niece could not say no once she found out she was a match, and went through the whole process with a generous heart. It is not easy, but obviously not as bad as what the patient goes through. It involved her getting injections that caused her discomfort and the retrieval procedure. I don't want to put you off or scare you, it wasn't terrible but not a walk in the park either.

We all feel that her donation will bring blessings to her and of course, if one of us was sick and needed the donation, we would pray for a match and that they donate. We do know that the patient received the donation but besides that don't get any updates. We pray that it worked for him.

Thank you for the information. And don't worry you didn't scare me off. I had heard it was painful, but like you said, nothing compared to what the patient goes through.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I used to be on the registry, and made a preliminary match once. It's been 15 years or so, but at that time the chance of a preliminary match being a donor match was about 1 in 50. I don't know if the percentages have changed since then.

 

[Mysteria]

I tried to be. I was told no due to some arthritis/bursitis in one hip.

 

[s&k'smom]

I'm on a registry but have not been needed yet. I believe I would do it though I would be a little scared. You are a hero for doing this, good luck!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I hope these threads encourage other people to become a donor.

I registered 8 years ago when we were told our DD probably had Leukemia. Four days later, a bone marrow biopsy was negative. But during those 4 days I wondered...what if the very person who would have been a perfect match wasn't a registered donor?

Good luck to you!

 

[Frantasmic]

The retrieval process is different these days. You usually get a shot that causes your bone marrow development to go into overdrive producing the material needed for donation. The shot itself isn't uncomfortable, but the 3-4 days your body spends making this extra material is somewhat uncomfortable, like deep flu or bone aches. Then, they retrieve it with a process similar to blood donation.

Most places do not depend on the retrieval of the marrow from the hip anymore, which was fairly painful.

I haven't done it, but have just heard about it.

 

[JerseyJanice]

When my nephew did it for my niece five years ago, he had to take a drug that increased his white cell count. He did that two/three days before the extraction. They pulled it out of his hip, and he said it wasn't that bad.

 

[krcit]

I don't have experience with this but I just wanted to tell you I think you are wonderful for doing this. My best friend passed away at age 21, her only sibling was not a match, and no Match was found before it was too late. I wish you all the best and please keep us posted.

I agree! I lost a friend last year from leukemia and have another battling it right now. I'm on the donor list myself and hope I get a call one day. Good luck and let us know!

 

[safetymom]

My son did this about 6 months ago for someone on the list. They did it by taking his blood and filtering out what they needed. They had given him medication to make extra cells. Don't remember all the details. He was uncomfortable the day of the donation but he recovered quickly.

We can't wait to find out if his donation made a difference in this mans life.

Good for you for doing this.

 

[mumom95]

Thanks for all the encouragement. And I agree, I hope this thread encourages more people to become a donor.

I go Monday for the blood test that will tell if I'm a perfect match or not. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I am.

Please keep the patient, whomever he or she is, in your prayers. And pray that if I'm not a perfect match that someone else on the list is.

 

[ctinct]

I was also contacted years ago to do the second step bloodwork. Unfortunately, I was not a match, which was quite depressing--I had hoped I would be. I was told the chances of being a perfect match were pretty small, but they don't do the second round of testing unless you are a preliminary match because I guess it is quite expensive. However, the good news is, once you go through this second set of testing, if you ever get another call, you will already be assured of being a perfect match since you will already have had the second step testing. Sadly, I have yet to receive a callback, but I hope that someday I will.

 

[ZachnElli]

A bone marrow transplant saved my 7 year old neighbor (9 now). They gave her slim to none chances without it and only 50% with it and it worked!! It was also a stranger on the list. You could be literally saving a life this Christmas!! I think our whole neighborhood is on the list because of her bone marrow donor drive!

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

If anyone has been on the registry in the past, make sure you update your information. http://www.marrow.org/ I gave a blood sample (now it's a DNA cheek swab) years ago during a marrow drive and they still had the information on file, but didn't have my current address. (My phone number was the same, though.)

 

[duckybelle]

Good luck to you!! My daughter, who is now 16, had a bone marrow transplat when she was just a few months old. (Rare immune deficiency). I donated for her. I was sore for a few days but nothing bad. Just think, you may be saving someones life!! My daughter had countless blood and platelet transfusions, and we ALWAYS know we are blessed by the many that do this.

 

[brasswillow]

Thank you for posting this thread. Because of you I am now waiting for my test kit to come in the mail. It's exciting to know that I will be a part of something so important.