Her match beyond the game

Young woman with braided hair smiles while seated during a blood stem cell donation, holding a collection bag.

Her match beyond the game

At just 18, Morgan joined the NMDP Registry^SM when her basketball team hosted a recruitment drive. She didn’t want to ask others to join without doing it herself.

Just months later, she learned she was a match for a patient.

Join the donor registry

“I was really happy to hear that I matched with a patient.”

Morgan is a college student at Assumption University, where she plays basketball. Her desire to help others led her to participate in NMDP Get in the Game^SM, a program that helps college athletic teams recruit students to join the NMDP Registry as potential blood stem cell donors. Morgan led by example and joined the registry. When NMDP^SM called with the news she was a match for a patient, saying “yes” came naturally.

When she learned the patient was a woman around her mom’s age, the match felt even more meaningful.

At first, Morgan’s mom had questions about the donation process. After talking with NMDP, she felt more at ease and even learned how to give Morgan her filgrastim shots, which help move blood stem cells from bone marrow into the bloodstream. On donation day, she stayed by Morgan’s side as they passed the time watching TV together.

College basketball player in a white Assumption University jersey reaches for the ball during a game.

Morgan, blood stem cell donor

become a donor

How joining the registry works

If you’re between 18 and 35, you can join the NMDP Registry with a simple cheek swab.

1. Get your free swab kit

Sign up online, answer a few questions to confirm you can join, then tell us where to mail your free swab kit (usually arrives in 3–7 days).

Join the donor registry

2. Swab and send it back

Follow the kit instructions to swab your cheeks, then mail the kit back in the prepaid envelope. We’ll process your samples to add your tissue type to the registry.

3. Stay ready to save a life

Patients are most likely to match someone who shares their ethnic background. Some people are called quickly, others wait years—and some may never be called.

What to expect when you donate blood stem cells

90% donate PBSC

Peripheral blood stem cells are donated in a nonsurgical procedure similar to donating plasma.

$0 to donate

NMDP pays for all travel and medical expenses and helps cover lost wages.

Support at every step

A dedicated NMDP team helps you plan, prepare and recover.

FAQs

Common questions about joining the registry

Find out more about joining the registry and becoming a blood stem cell donor.

Both peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) and bone marrow donation are less painful than you probably think. Discomfort and side effects vary from person to person, but it’s nothing like what you see on TV.

Some of the common side effects of PBSC donation are headaches, nausea and tiredness—from the daily shots of a drug called filgrastim or an FDA-approved similar administered in the 5 days leading up to donation.

For a bone marrow donation, you experience no pain before or during the procedure, but you may feel sore or achy for a few days afterward.
The full donation process takes time but is flexible around your schedule. Here’s a general timeline:
- Before donation: You’ll attend an info session and have follow-up appointments for blood tests and a physical exam.
- Donation day: Most people donate in one day.
- Total time: Expect to spend 20 to 30 hours over several weeks, not counting travel time. Many donors travel and may stay overnight in a hotel.
If you match a patient, we’ll contact you to confirm your commitment. You’ll then undergo further testing—using a cheek swab, blood sample or stored sample—to ensure you’re the best possible match.

If selected, you’ll attend an information session to learn about the donation process, risks and side effects. We’ll share basic patient details (age, gender and disease) and confirm the requested donation method: either bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC).
You can register as a potential donor if you’re:
- Between the ages of 18 and 35
- A resident of the U.S., its territories, or freely associated states
- Able to meet our health guidelines
- Not already registered through another U.S. organization
NMDP focuses on young adults because research shows blood stem cells from younger donors give patients their best chance at transplant success and surviving long term. Once registered, you’ll stay listed as a potential donor until you're 61, unless you ask to be removed.

Young woman wearing flower crown stands between her parents outdoors, smiling at the camera.

Morgan with her parents

If that were my mom, I would want someone to help."

morgan

Blood stem cell donor

Take action

Be someone’s match

Morgan joined the registry because she didn’t want to ask others to do something she wouldn’t do herself.

Just months later, she became a match for a patient. Your decision to join could give someone that same hope.

Join the donor registry

Her match beyond the game

Her match beyond the game

“I was really happy to hear that I matched with a patient.”