However, if you are identified as a matched donor, you may be the only person who can provide lifesaving marrow to that patient. All of the donor's medical expenses relating to the transplant are paid by the patient or the patient's medical insurance. Although many employers offer paid time off to donate marrow, some donors have found it necessary to take unpaid time off from work or use personal vacation time. A volunteer donor who is successfully matched with a transplant candidate may decide not to go ahead with the process. If you have any doubts about whether you would be able to donate marrow, it is best to delay joining the Registry until you are sure.
Uncommitted donors give false hope to patients awaiting transplants.
Also remember that although a volunteer donor may decline at any stage in the process, once he or she signs the Intent to Donate form, the patient begins the pre-transplant treatment and will most likely die without the transplant. 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.