An estimated 30,000 children and adults in the USA are diagnosed each year with a fatal blood disease and their only hope for survival is a bone marrow transplant. Nearly 70% of these patients cannot find suitably matched marrow donors within their families and look to the National Marrow Donor Program for help.

In order to become a bone marrow donor, you must:

  • Be 18-60 years of age.

  • Be in good health.

  • Consent to be listed on the NMDP Registry.

  • Donate a small sample of blood for tissue typing.

Once your tissue type is entered on to the National Marrow Donor's computerized Registry, you may be selected as a preliminary match for a patient. You will be contacted, and with your approval, more testing will take place. If further testing shows you to be a precise match for the patient, you will attend a thorough information session about the donation process and your options as a potential donor. You will also undergo a physical examination. After being fully informed, you decide whether to become a volunteer bone marrow donor.

For more information about the National Marrow Donor Program
within the NY-Penn Region, call 1-800-462-7764

If you are located outside of the NY-Penn Region please call 1-800-627-7692.

 

For more information 
contact the Red Cross at 273-1900 or
e-mail bloodservices@tompkins-redcross.org

American Red Cross of Tompkins County
201 West Clinton Street Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 273-1900