Severe Side Effects/Risks. According to the National Marrow Donor Program, 2.4% of people who donate bone marrow experience a serious complication. Very few bone marrow donors suffer any long-term complications from their donation. Around the world, researchers looked at over 27,000 people who had donated bone marrow in 35 countries. read more
Bone marrow stem cells are usually obtained by using a large needle to draw cells from the bone marrow in the iliac crests, the hip bone. General or local anesthesia is used. Bone marrow harvesting was originally performed only from family members who were willing to take risks for their loved ones. read more
If bone marrow harvesting isn’t for you. You can donate stem cells through a process called peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation. It doesn’t require surgery. For five days before your donation, you’ll receive injections of filgrastim. This drug increases blood stem cells in the bloodstream. read more