Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue present in the medullary cavities in some of your bones, such as the hip and thighs. Bone marrow can develop red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which help the body to function normally. These cells are distributed throughout the body.
Although in some patients, the bone marrow may become damaged or fail to function properly due to disease, infection, or certain treatments. In such cases, a bone marrow transplant using healthy donor cells may be required to restore normal blood cell production.
Moreover, the donation is safe and does not cause long-term pain, as the procedure is performed under anesthesia in hygienic conditions. And also, the recovery is quick and without severe complications.
In this blog, you’ll learn who can donate bone marrow, how the process works, what to expect, and how to get started.
Who May Need Donated Bone Marrow?
Common patients who may need a bone marrow transplant include those with:
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Aplastic anemia
- Thalassemia
- Sickle cell disease
- Multiple myeloma
- Inherited immune disorders, like SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency)
- Certain genetic or metabolic disorders that can affect bone marrow
Why is Bone Marrow Donation Important?
In most of the patients, up to 70%, there is no fully matched donor in their family. Therefore, they rely on unrelated donors registered in global bone marrow registries, as this gives the only chance at survival or long-term remission. However, finding a genetically matched donor is quite rare.
Who Are Eligible for a Bone Marrow Transplant?
Anyone between 18 and 60 years of age is eligible to donate; however, the person should be healthy and free from certain medical conditions that may hinder the donated bone marrow quality and the patient’s condition.
To become a bone marrow (or stem cell) donor, you need to register with a relevant registry, like DATRI, either online or at a recruitment drive. Before the donation, an HLA typing test is done to check the eligibility of the patient. In this process, a buccal (cheek) swab is taken to determine the HLA type, and if it’s matched, then the donor is eligible to proceed with the complete process.
Who is not Qualified for the Bone Marrow Donation?
Individuals who are under 18 or above 60 are not eligible for bone marrow donation. Also, certain medical conditions or risk factors disqualify individuals from becoming bone marrow donors. You may not be eligible to donate if you have:
- Autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis)
- HIV/AIDS or hepatitis B/C
- Heart disease, severe asthma, or uncontrolled diabetes
- Lung, kidney, or liver diseases
- Sexually transmitted infections (if not fully treated or recent)
- Seizure disorders
- Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression that may affect informed consent
neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease - Extremely low or high BMI (based on safety concerns during donation)
- Recent tattoos, piercings, or blood transfusions (may lead to temporary deferral)
Note: Final eligibility will only be determined after the proper screening or tests. Consult with your hematologist before taking any steps for donation.
Procedure
Bone marrow donation is done in one of two ways: Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) Donation or Bone Marrow Harvest. The choice totally depends on the patient’s condition and medical team recommendations.
Before the Donation
Before you donate, a complete medical evaluation is conducted to ensure you’re healthy and eligible. This includes:
- Blood tests, ECG (EKG), and chest X-ray
- A detailed explanation of the procedure, potential risks, and recovery process
If you’re donating peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), you’ll receive daily injections of G-CSF (Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor) for 4–5 days. This medication stimulates your body to produce and release more stem cells into the bloodstream.
During the Donation
1. Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) Donation:
The most commonly used method.
- In this process, blood is taken from one arm and run through a machine that separates the stem cells. The remaining blood is then returned to your body through the other arm. This process, called apheresis,
- It’s a nonsurgical, outpatient procedure that usually lasts between 4 and 6 hours.
2. Bone Marrow Harvest:
Used particularly for pediatric patients or specific transplant needs.
- You’ll be taken to an operating room and given general anesthesia so that you’re fully asleep and feel no pain.
- While you lie on your stomach, doctors insert a breathing tube to assist you during anesthesia.
- A special needle is inserted into your pelvic bone (hip area)—the area richest in marrow stem cells. Multiple insertions may be required to collect enough marrow.
- Around 1 to 2 pints of liquid marrow are collected, which is approximately 10% of your total marrow supply. Your body naturally replaces this in a few weeks.
- If red blood cells are also taken during the procedure, they are typically returned to you after surgery.
- The entire process takes about 1 hour, and most donors are discharged the same day or after overnight observation.
After the Donation
Recovery depends on the type of donation:
- PBSC donors usually resume normal activities within 1 to 3 days.
- Bone marrow donors may take 5 to 10 days to fully recover, based on their health, response to anesthesia, and lifestyle.
Throughout recovery, donors receive guidance and support from the donation team. Most feel physically fine within days, and emotionally fulfilled, knowing their donation may have saved a life.
Risks or Complications
Bone marrow donation is generally safe, and most donors experience only mild, short-term side effects. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks depending on the donation method.
For PBSC (Peripheral Blood Stem Cell) Donation:
- Temporary side effects from G-CSF injections may include:
- Bone or joint pain
- Headache or fatigue
- Mild flu-like symptoms
- Nausea or dizziness
- These typically reduce within a few days after donation.
For Bone Marrow Harvest:
- As it involves general anesthesia, there are minimal anesthesia-related risks.
- Possible side effects include:
- Soreness or bruising in the lower back or hip area
- Fatigue or stiffness for a few days
- Rarely, bleeding or infection at the needle insertion site
- Most donors recover quickly with rest and mild pain management.
Note: Serious complications are extremely rare, and donors are medically monitored throughout the process to ensure safety.
Key Takeaways
Bone marrow donation is more than a medical procedure—it is an act of compassion and courage that offers a lifeline to patients battling life-threatening diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood disorders. For many, it is the only chance at survival, and every new donor represents another way to look at hope—hope for a healthier tomorrow and for time with loved ones.
With increasing awareness and access to care, especially with bone marrow transplant in India becoming more advanced and accessible, patients from around the world now have an opportunity to heal.
