A little education goes a long way. Marrow is a substance found in the cavities of the body's bones. It resembles blood and contains stem cells, which produce red cells, white cells and other blood components. Stem cells are the cells that transplant patients need to make new healthy marrow usually live in bone marrow. Anyone between the ages of 18-60 and in general good health can become a volunteer donor.
New volunteers can join the registry by taking a simple blood test.
If a volunteer matches a patient, that person will be contacted and further testing arranged. Once that is completed, if the volunteer is a precise match for the patient, special counselors will provide the volunteer with detailed information about the marrow donation process. During a marrow donation, the stem cells are collected from the donor during a surgical procedure using a special needle inserted into the hip bone. The procedure is usually performed as an outpatient service, but may require a donor to spend one night in hospital. Be a hero.