Why Become a Donor

FAQ's

Medical Guidlines

 

Medical Guidlines

Medical Guideline for Joining the Registry

When you decide to become a donor on the registry, you will complete a health questionnaire to confirm you meet the medical guidelines. The medical guidelines protect your health as a potential donor, as well as the health of transplant patients.

Age

You must be between the ages of 18 and 60 to join the registry. Age guidelines are not meant to discriminate. They are meant to protect the safety of the donor and provide the best possible outcome for the patient. The lower age limit is based on the legal age of consent. A guardian or parent is not able to sign a release or give consent because unrelated bone marrow donation is a voluntary procedure.
The upper age limit is based on donor and patient considerations. There is a small increase in the risk of side effects from anesthesia in older donors. 

The following are the conditions that prevent you from becoming a donor:
• HIV or risk for HIV
• Hepatitis or risk for hepatitis
• Most forms of heart disease or cancer
• Chronic lung disease
• Diabetes requiring insulin or diabetes-related health issues
• Diseases that affect blood clotting or bleeding
• Recent back surgery, or severe or ongoing back problems
• Autoimmune/neurological disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis
• Being an organ or marrow transplant recipient
• Significant obesity
• Current sleep apnea

Weight Guidelines

Donor Height and Weight Guidelines at Recruitment
Height	Maximum Weight (in pounds)
4'10"	191
4'11"	198
5'0"	204
5'1"	211
5'2"	218
5'3"	225
5'4"	233
5'5"	240
5'6"	247
5'7"	255
5'8"	263
5'9"	270
5'10"	278
5'11"	286
6'0"	295
6'1"	301
6'2"	310
6'3"	321
6'4"	328
6'5"	339
6'6"	345
6'7"	355
6'8"	363
6'9"	374
6'10"	381
6'11"	392
7'0"	400