Let's be real
You probably have a few questions about what it takes to save a life. We get it—we’d have them too. Let’s talk about what you’ve heard and what’s really involved with donating blood stem cells.
What's donating like?
We’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions.
You may have heard donating is really painful ...
Discomfort and side effects of a blood stem cell donation vary from person to person. The most common ones are headaches, nausea and tiredness from the daily shots you’ll receive for five days beforehand. For donors who have outpatient surgery to donate bone marrow, there’s no pain during it and most people say they feel sore or achy for a few days after.
You may be thinking this goes against your family’s religious or cultural beliefs ...
While every family's cultural and religious beliefs are different, it's important to know that donating blood stem cells is different than donating an organ. And by being a donor, you could potentially save someone's life.
You may be thinking patients are the only priority ...
The safety and well-being of both patients and donors are our main focus. You’ll be paired with a personal donor representative to answer any questions, and we’ll follow up with you before, during and after donation. You’ve signed up to save someone’s life, and we don’t take that lightly. We’re here to listen to you and make sure your needs are heard and met every step of the way.
You may be wondering if your donation really helps someone ...
You could be the only person that could save a patient’s life. Donating your blood stem cells could cure or treat more than 75 diseases—you could even be the cure for a patient with sickle cell disease. Finding a match is complex. It’s based on genes called human leukocyte antigens (HLA). Because those are inherited, you’re most likely to match with someone who shares your ethnic background.
You may be wondering where your donation goes and what we do with it …
It goes only to your patient. Right after you donate, a trained courier safely takes your blood stem cells to the patient’s hospital for the transplant.
You may have heard that surgery is required ...
Most donors (90%) are asked to provide peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) during a nonsurgical process similar to donating plasma. The other 10% are asked to donate bone marrow, which involves outpatient surgery done under anesthesia—meaning you’ll feel no pain during it and go home the same day.
How does donation affect my daily life?
The best way to find out is to hear from people who have donated.
You may be wondering how much work or school you’ll miss ...
It takes a few hours a week for a few weeks. Between phone calls, appointments and the donation itself, it typically takes about 20 to 30 hours total over a 4-to-6-week period. Most donors will need to travel for donation, and we cover all expenses.
You may have heard you have to pay to donate ...
It costs you nothing to donate. All your medical and travel costs are covered. We can also help cover any lost wages due to donation. Plus, your insurance isn’t involved with the process at all.
You may be thinking your family won’t support your decision to donate ...
Talking to your loved ones about donation can be hard—we’re here to help. Be sure to explain what’s involved and how saving someone’s life is something you can all be part of together.
You may have heard it’s a long recovery ...
Most donors go home the same day. Some 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. Plus, donating doesn’t weaken your own body or immune system.
You may be wondering if it affects having kids in the future ...
There’s no evidence of negative effects on male or female fertility following donation. But as with any medical treatment or procedure, female donors hoping to become pregnant soon after donating should talk to their doctors.
More resources. More answers.
More about the safety of donating blood stems cells
More about the donation process
Note: NMDPSM is merely providing these resources for educational purposes and doesn’t otherwise endorse the information contained in the articles.
Be part of the My NMDP community.
Connect with other donors and hear from patients whose lives have been saved because of people like you.
About NMDP
At NMDP, we believe each of us holds the key to curing blood cancers and disorders. As a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy, NMDP creates essential connections between researchers and supporters to inspire action and accelerate innovation to find life-saving cures. With the help of blood stem cell donors from the world’s most diverse registry and our extensive network of transplant partners, physicians and caregivers, we’re expanding access to treatment so that every patient can receive their life-saving cell therapy. NMDP. Find cures. Save lives.