Bone Marrow Donation

So to deflect from the other medical thread lol

Last week I donated bone marrow to a stranger arranged through https://bethematch.org

If you're willing to endure some slight discomfort you can order a cheek swab through the mail and be added to the registry.

Being added to the registry doesn't mean you are obligated to donate if matched.

I ended up donating through a surgical procedure that took roughly 8 hours from the time we left the hotel to the time we arrived back. Pretty much felt like a muscle ache for the first 2 days and some to be expected fatigue. Complete recovery is expected to take 4-6 weeks.

There was a couple days that required me to travel to get blood samples taken, a complete physical, and to donate a unit of blood to be transfused after the donating. Be The Match reimburses for any expenses including mileage and meals related to any travel.

Long story short taking a little bit of time may save someone's life and I figured if I needed it I hope someone would do it for me.

 

for doing that.
What are +/- of donating marrow? What impacts does it have on the donor?

 

You sir are a hero!!! Amazing on all accounts.

 

It depends on the procedure, apheresis I was told is used 80% of the time now with the other being the surgical procedure. The risks from apheresis is not much different than a blood donation since the marrow is extracted through a vein.

The surgical procedure carries the same risk of any procedure requiring anesthesia. They make up to 5 punctures on each side of your hips about 4 inches each side of the spine. I had 3 on the right and 2 on the left. There is always a chance of infection but it's all performed in an OR.

Biggest thing is the fatigue, I over did it yesterday and definitely feel like crap today.

 

Well done. I've been on the registry since 2012 when a friends 5 year old needed a donor. Still havent had the call yet and while I'd be nervous, I'd love to be able to make a difference like that.

Good for you, thank you.

 

I have been on the registry since 2000. No call yet. Thank you for explaining the procedure and thank you for helping someone out. Peace. D

 

you are a brave man, hats off to you my friend . Only thing I’ve donated was to O~O~ bank and no one was ever interested haha JK.

 

Wow. Amazing thing to do !

 

Just signed up, already donate my O- blood regularly but maybe I can be useful for more.

 

Awesome, I figured if one person signed up the thread was worth it. I was only on the registry 6 months before getting called which I'm sure is not the norm.

 

Figured why not since I already work at a hospital, non-clinical side though. We have a Bone Marrow Transplant unit too.