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The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation's donor file is searched by transplant center coordinators and foreign donor registries worldwide. This is performed on behalf of patients in need of suitably matched stem cell donors. If your Human Leukocyte Antigen Tissue Type (which equates to your genetic fingerprint) matches that of a patient, a donor center coordinator will contact you and ask if you are willing to proceed with additional blood tests. If you are indeed a match, you will be counseled on the process involved in donating stem cells by a donor advocate, consult with a physician at the collection center, receive a complete health history, physical exam and laboratory tests to determine if you are eligible.

ETHNICITY AND TISSUE TYPE
Tissue type is inherited, like eye or hair color. A patient's best chance of finding a genetic match is someone who shares the same ethnic and geographic ancestry.

WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?
Stem cells are the progenitors that produce the major components of the blood. They are found predominantly in the bone marrow, a substance found in the hollow cavities of the body’s large bones. Stem Cells can be collected from two potential sources: bone marrow and peripheral blood. Cancer patients suffering from a wide variety of diseases, such as leukemia, aplastic anemia, lymphoma and certain immune disorders, can benefit from stem cell transplantation.