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Does blood type matter when donating bone marrow?
The HLA test looks at genetic markers on your white blood cells. If these markers are similar to those on the patient’s cells, you may be eligible to serve as a donor. You do not need to have the same blood type as the patient in order to be a donor.
Do you have to be an exact match to donate bone marrow?
The good news is that you don’t have to actually donate bone marrow to find out if you’re a match. The process starts with a simple cheek swab to provide a sample of your DNA. If you are a basic match for a recipient based on that test, you’ll have additional blood tests or cheek swabs.
Does Bone Marrow Transplant change blood type?
Usually, you will have the same blood type all of your life. However, in some cases, the blood types have changed. This has been due to unusual circumstances, such as having a bone marrow transplant or getting certain types of cancers or infections. Not all of the changes in blood type are permanent.
Can you donate bone marrow to a specific person?
No, you cannot register as a bone marrow donor to donate to a specific person.
How painful is donating bone marrow?
Marrow donation is done under general or regional anesthesia so the donor experiences no pain during the collection procedure. Discomfort and side effects vary from person to person. Most marrow donors experience some side effects after donation.
How do I know my HLA type?
You and potential donors will have blood drawn or will have the inside of your cheek swabbed. The blood or cheek swab is tested in a lab to figure out your HLA type. Your HLA type will be compared to potential donors to see if there is a match. Your doctor will decide which donor has the best HLA match for you.
What excludes you from donating bone marrow?
Chronic neck, back, hip, or spine pain Common back problems such as sprains, strains and aches may not interfere with a bone marrow donation. However, you are not able to join if you have on-going, chronic, significant pain areas of the neck, back, hip, or spine that: Interferes with your daily activities AND.
What happens if your blood type doesn’t match your bone marrow?
The recipient of a bone marrow transplant whose blood type doesn’t match his or her donor’s blood type will eventually have a blood type change from whatever his or her blood type was originally to the donor’s blood type. A child doesn’t inherit his or her blood group genetics and HLA genetics together.
Do the donor and recipient blood types have to match?
The donor and the receipients’ blood types (such as types A+, A-, AB, O+) need not match, and in most transplants, the two blood types do not match one another.
How are bone marrow donors matched to the recipient patient?
Bone marrow donors are matched to the recipient patient’s tissue type, not their blood type. The matching process is called HLA-matching.
How many HLA markers do you need to match a donor?
This cheek swab is tested for a minimum of 6 basic HLA markers. A patient’s doctor will usually choose several donors who appear to match the patient at a basic level. The doctor will ask that these donors have additional tests. These detailed tests will show which donor’s HLA most closely matches the patient’s HLA markers.