Jul
I've got an NHS organ donation card on which I've signed up to give all my organs when I die bit I want to know if I have the ability to also sign up to donate my bone marrow somehow?
Answer:
Hi Ellie,
You don't have to die to donate your bone marrow.
Contact the Anthony Nolan Trust for full details of bone marrow donation and to have your name put on a register of donors.
If, after contacting them, you want to go on the register they will arrange for you to have a blood sample taken. This is almost painless and is risk free.
The blood will be tested and your “tissue type” will be added to your details on the register.
If you are a match for someone with leukaemia, you will be invited to donate some bone marrow. This will be done at a time and place convenient for you and you can change your mind at any time.
I won't go into the details of how the bone marrow cells are taken because it would take ages to explain everything and, if you’re not a match for anyone, you’ll not be asked to donate.
If you are asked to donate, everything will be explained to you. There may be a little anguish but there’s no pain as you will be given an anaesthetic during the procedure. As with any anaesthetic, there’s a little risk involved but this is not great. You’ll spend a very short time in hospital but will be fully recovered in a couple of days.
You can change your mind at any time but, judging from your question, you’re a very caring person and I'm sure you would think very carefully before raising someone's hopes of a possible cure for their leukaemia and then disappointing them at the last moment.