We know you were really excited to give someone a second chance at life – so why didn’t you get to donate?

You got that incredible phone call from Gift of Life that you were a match for a patient in need, and you could be selected to donate blood stem cells or bone marrow.  You may have gone on to take additional steps: a health history, a blood test, even a medical exam. Then, weeks later, you learned you were being released from donating and you want to know why.  Although the transplant center often does not give us a specific reason, it is usually one of these: 

• The patient and their doctor may have chosen a different direction for treatment
• A closer match may have been found
• The patient is not ready for transplant yet; they must be in remission for transplant to take place.  

Being released from donating is no reflection on you; it is purely a medical decision made by the transplant physician.  Every donation has the possibility that it may be cancelled or rescheduled. 

Here are the most common questions we hear from donors when they learn they won’t be going through to collection this time around. 

Was there something wrong with my health tests?  

No, if your tests showed you were not healthy enough to donate, we would have informed you right away that you would not be able to donate due to medical reasons.  

Will I be able to donate in the future?  

Yes, donors released back into the registry return to “available” status and may be matched with a different patient in the future.  

Since I won’t be donating this time, is there anything else I can do?  

Yes, there are many things you can do to help Gift of Life’s mission: 

• run a donor drive at your school, company, synagogue or church, or in your community
• make a presentation about Gift of Life to educate others 
• invite family and friends to also join the registry
• share Gift of Life’s posts on your social media

What if I’m a match with someone else in the future?  

Now that your status is back to “available,” you could match another patient at any time. The process will follow the same steps:

• We notify you that you’re a preliminary match for a patient
• Complete a new swab kit or blood test to confirm how closely you match the patient
• Complete a new health history questionnaire
• A medical exam will ensure you are in good health to donate
• The transplant center will notify us if you are moving forward to collection, and we’ll contact you right away. 
• We’ll work with you to set a collection date, and make any needed travel arrangements
• You’ll get to donate!  

P.S. Stem cell donors who choose to donate at our Adelson Collection Center in Boca Raton can look forward to four-star treatment at our beautiful facility.  There is no cost to you to donate. Gift of Life arranges all medical tests, travel, hotel, and transportation, and you will receive a meal stipend. 

Still have questions?  Please contact us and we'll be happy to answer them!