Bone marrow donation

Everything you need to know about bone marrow donation, including why and how it is done, the risks and your choices, with links to other useful resources.

What is a bone marrow donation? {#introduction}

What is bone marrow?

The need for donors

How it is performed

Who can donate bone marrow

How is it performed? {#how-is-it-performed}

How it works {#how-it-works}

Who can use it {#who-can-use-it}

Why is it necessary {#why-it-is-necessary}

## What is a bone marrow donation? {#introduction}

A bone marrow donation is a relatively straightforward medical procedure.

Diseased or damaged bone marrow can be replaced by donated bone marrow, which helps treat, and often cure, many serious, life-threatening conditions, including:

-   bone marrow failure (severe aplastic anaemia)
-   leukaemia – cancer of the white blood cells, which has several sub-types
-   [non-Hodgkin's lymphoma](/health-library/conditions/non-hodgkins-lymphoma/#definition) – cancer of the lymphatic system
-   certain genetic blood and immune system disorders such as [sickle cell anaemia](/health-library/conditions/sickle-cell-anaemia), [thalassaemia](/health-library/conditions/thalassaemia)and some severe immune system diseases

Read more about the [uses of a bone marrow transplant](/health-library/treatments/bone-marrow-donation/#why-it-is-necessary).

After the donation, as long as the transplant is successful, the new bone marrow will begin to make healthy blood cells and the person receiving the donation will start to get better.

#

::: body-ad-desktop
zones:: 232632,232362,232640
types:: 163
disclaimer:: AD
typeFilter:: native_ad
adCount:: 1

:::


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232362,232642
types:: 5,163
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display/native_ad
adCount:: 1

:::
## What is bone marrow?

Bone marrow is a spongy tissue found in the hollow centres of some bones. It contains stem cells which produce red blood cells.

Stem cells in bone marrow produce three important types of blood cells:

-   red blood cells – which carry oxygen around the body
-   white blood cells – which help fight infection
-   platelets – which help stop bleeding

#

::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232362,233460
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::
## The need for donors

Ideally, bone marrow should be donated from a close family member, such as a brother or sister, because there needs to be a close match between tissue types. However, only around one in three people have a close relative with a matching tissue type.

For this reason a number of bone marrow registers have been set up listing people who are willing to donate bone marrow if required.

When a donation is needed, doctors search the bone marrow register to try to find a donor with a matching tissue type.

#

::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232362,245869
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::
## How it is performed

Firstly you will be asked to provide a small sample of blood to determine your tissue type. This information is kept on the register.

You will be contacted if you are a potential match for a person requiring a transplant.

The most widely used method of donating bone marrow is known as a peripheral blood stem cell donation (PBSC). You will have to visit the hospital or clinic for four days in a row to receive injections which stimulate the production of stem cells.

On the fifth day you will be connected to a cell-separator machine without the need for a general anaesthetic. The machine usually collects the stem cells from your blood through a vein in one arm, returning the blood to your body through a vein in your other arm. This takes about 4-5 hours and may need to be repeated on the next day.

Read more about [what happens during a bone marrow donation](/health-library/treatments/bone-marrow-donation/#how-is-it-performed).

#

::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232362,245870
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::
## Who can donate bone marrow

If you would like to become a potential bone marrow donor, you must be:

-   18 to 49 years of age to join the British Bone Marrow Registry (in the UK)
-   16 to 30 years of age to join the Anthony Nolan Trust register (in the UK)
-   in good general health
-   over 8 stone (51kg) in weight

It is best to join the bone marrow register at a young age. The younger you are when you join, the more chance there is of your tissue type being matched to that of someone who needs it.

Read more about [who can donate bone marrow](/health-library/treatments/bone-marrow-donation/#who-can-use-it).


## How is it performed? {#how-is-it-performed}

If you are on the bone marrow register and identified as a possible match for someone, you may be asked to provide a blood sample. This will enable further checks on your tissue type to be made.

If your tissue type matches the patient who requires bone marrow, you may be selected to donate. You will have a full medical examination and receive [counselling](/health-library/treatments/counselling) about the procedure.

There are two ways of donating bone marrow. The first and most widely used method is known as a peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation. The second method involves donation of the bone marrow itself.

### Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation

Peripheral blood stem cell donation (PBSC) is a procedure that allows you to donate stem cells without having to directly donate any bone marrow.

Every day for four days before the PBSC donation takes place, you will receive an injection of a medication called Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). This will increase the number of stem cells in your blood. Stem cells produce a variety of blood cells, including red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body.

Common side effects of G-CSF include:

-   bone or muscle pain
-   feeling sick
-   [headache](/health-library/conditions/headache)
-   feeling tired (fatigue)

Less common side effects include:

-   chest pain
-   difficulty sleeping ([insomnia](/health-library/conditions/insomnia))
-   [dizziness](/health-library/symptoms/dizziness)
-   night sweats

These side effects are usually mild and should pass once treatment with G-CSF has stopped.

On the fifth day, you will be connected to a special machine that separates the stem cells from your blood. These are collected into a pack for use.

The advantage of having a PBSC is that you do not have to have a [general anaesthetic](/health-library/drugs/anaesthetic-general/#definition), and you will not have to stay in hospital overnight.

### Bone marrow donation

In bone marrow donation, a syringe is used to remove bone marrow from your hip bones. Although this is not a surgical operation, it is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic to stop you feeling any pain during the procedure.

After donating bone marrow, you may experience some discomfort at the site where the needle was inserted into your hip, but this should settle gradually. You will usually need to stay in hospital for 12 to 24 hours to make sure you have recovered fully from the general anaesthetic.

After the donation procedure, it usually takes about five days to fully recover from the effects of the anaesthetic. It is recommended you stay at home and rest during this period.

### Risks

PBSC and traditional bone marrow donation are both very safe procedures that have a small level of associated risk.

Around one in every 100 people will experience a complication during or following PBSC and bone marrow donation. For example, an infection close to where the needle was inserted to collect stem cells. In very rare cases, a person may experience a serious allergic reaction to the general anaesthetic used during a bone marrow donation.


## How it works {#how-it-works}

Bone marrow donors must have a tissue type compatible with the person who is going to receive their bone marrow.

### Tissue type

Tissue type, also known as human leukocyte antigens (HLA) type, helps the body fight infection. In order to check if the tissue type is compatible, doctors check how many proteins on the surface of the blood cells match. There are millions of different tissue types but some are more common than others.

Tissue type is inherited, with these types being passed on from each parent. This means a relative will be more likely to have a matching tissue type. However, if a suitable bone marrow donor cannot be found from family members, doctors will try to find someone with a compatible tissue type on the bone marrow donor register.

### Joining the register

You must be a blood donor to apply to join the as a potential bone marrow donor.

When you apply to join a bone marrow register, you will need to supply a blood or saliva sample so your tissue type can be identified. If you are applying through the Anthony Nolan Trust, they can arrange for a saliva sample to be taken.

Read more information about [who can register as a bone marrow donor](/health-library/treatments/bone-marrow-donation/#who-can-use-it).

You could be contacted as a potential match for someone who needs a bone marrow transplant from the time that you join a bone marrow register until you reach 60 years of age.

Donations are provided to people both in the UK and overseas. You cannot choose who will receive your bone marrow and your donation will remain anonymous. However, over time and if both sides want to, there can eventually be face-to-face contact.


## Who can use it {#who-can-use-it}

If you would like to become a potential bone marrow donor, you must be:

-   in good general health 
    -   over 8 stone (51kg) in weight

It is best to join the bone marrow register at a young age. The younger you are when you join, the more chance there is of your stem cells being most suitable for someone in need.

### People unable to donate

Having certain medical conditions may mean you cannot donate bone marrow. These include:

-   [HIV and AIDS](/health-library/conditions/hiv)
-   [rheumatoid arthritis](/health-library/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis)
-   [hepatitis B](/health-library/conditions/hepatitis-b) and [hepatitis C](/health-library/conditions/hepatitis-c)
-   [heart disease](/health-library/conditions/coronary-heart-disease)
-   [kidney disease](/health-library/conditions/kidney-disease-chronic)
-   type 1 diabetes
-   [cancer](/self-care/cancer), including leukaemia now or in the past

If you become pregnant, you will be temporarily unable to donate until your baby is 12 months old. Although no problems have been reported, the safety of donating bone marrow during and shortly after pregnancy has not been fully established.


## Why is it necessary {#why-it-is-necessary}

Bone marrow transplants are required when a person’s bone marrow becomes damaged or diseased to such an extent that it stops functioning properly.

This may be due to certain cancers such as:

-   leukaemia – cancer of the white blood cells
-   [non-Hodgkin's lymphoma](/health-library/conditions/non-hodgkins-lymphoma/#definition) (cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system), or a related cancer of the blood

Leukaemia has a few main sub-types:

-   [acute lymphoblastic leukaemia](/health-library/conditions/acute-lymphoblastic-leukaemia) – which mainly affects children, adolescents and young adults
-   [acute myeloid leukaemia](/health-library/conditions/acute-myeloid-leukaemia) – which affects both children and adults
-   [chronic lymphocytic leukaemia](/health-library/conditions/chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia) – which affects older adults
-   [chronic myeloid leukaemia](/health-library/conditions/chronic-myeloid-leukaemia) – which mainly affects adults, although most are treated with drugs and do not need a transplant

Other diseases that may require a bone marrow transplant include:

-   certain genetic blood and immune system disorders – such as [sickle cell anaemia](/health-library/conditions/sickle-cell-anaemia), [thalassaemia](/health-library/conditions/thalassaemia) and some severe immune system diseases
-   bone marrow failure (severe aplastic anaemia)
-   other diseases that affect the blood, such as [multiple myeloma](/health-library/conditions/multiple-myeloma), a cancer that affects blood plasma cells

Bone marrow transplants are also sometimes necessary following certain treatments, such as high-dose [chemotherapy](/health-library/treatments/chemotherapy/#definition) and [radiotherapy](/health-library/treatments/radiotherapy), which are often used to treat cancer. These treatments tend to damage healthy stem cells as well as destroying cancer cells.


error

 There was an error when submitting your feedback – have a screen break then try again in a few minutes.

Oh no, something’s gone wrong

ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS?

initial

This isn’t helpful

This isn’t relevant

Something is wrong

This isn’t accurate

Please select one.

loading

success

We're listening – we use your feedback to improve your experience, and make our content more helpful.

Thank you for your feedback

References

All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our <a href="/safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">safety page</a>, or read our <a href="/legal/editorial-policy-principles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">editorial policy</a>.