HLA matching is primarily done to match patients and donors for blood or marrow transplants. A match is defined by the similarity of HLA type among two people.
1. The receiver and potential donors will have blood drawn or have the inside of their cheek swabbed.
2. The HLA type is determined by testing blood or a cheek swab at a lab.
3. To see if there is a match, the HLA type will be compared to potential donors.