Typically, the donor enters the hospital on the day of the marrow donation. Donors remain in the hospital for several hours or overnight after the marrow collection. All donors receive general or local anesthesia for the procedure. The liquid marrow is removed from the rear of the pelvic bone using a special needle and syringe. This process generally lasts 60 minutes.
Donors can expect to feel some discomfort in their lower back for several days following donation.
Some donors compare the discomfort to the pain experienced falling on their tailbone, while others describe it as similar to muscle pain. As with any surgical procedure, there is a minimal amount of risk associated with the marrow collection. Serious complications are rare but could include anesthesia reactions, infection, transfusion reactions, or injuries at the needle insertion sites. A number of health questions are asked to ensure that individuals that join the Registry are in good general health. Before actually becoming a donor, a volunteer will receive a thorough physical examination.