Ethnicity and Tissue Type

The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation's donor file is searched by transplant centers and registries worldwide. This is performed on behalf of patients in need of suitably matched stem cell donors. If your tissue type matches that of a patient, a Gift of Life donor services coordinator will contact you and ask if you are willing to proceed with additional tests. If you are indeed a match, you will be counseled on the process involved in donating bone marrow or blood stem cells by a Gift of Life workup coordinator, 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 background.

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 located 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.