There exists a persistent myth about donating peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) or marrow that people will face hidden or upfront charges. Others believe that they can be paid for their donations. Both of these are untrue.
Every swab kit submitted to Gift of Life costs $60 to process and be added to the registry database.
Decades of research have shown that younger stem cells result in better outcomes for patients. For this reason, doctors and transplant centers alike request donors who are between the ages of 18 and 35. For donors between these ages and in generally good health, there is no cost to join the registry.
We ask that interested donors who are between the ages of 36 and 60 please offset the $60 lab fee needed to process their kit, as transplant centers are much less likely to request them. This way, we can use our funds to process kits from donors who are more likely to be called to donate.
Federal regulations do not allow people over the age of 60 to donate, and people graduate from the registry on their 61st birthday. To read more about these federal age requirements, click here.
After being identified as a match, we will ask you to take a blood test at a lab near to you to confirm that you are the best possible match for your recipient. Once this is confirmed, you will also undergo a thorough physical exam to ensure that you are healthy enough and ready to donate. You will not pay anything for either of these steps, nor will your health insurance be billed for the exam or tests.
There are no costs associated with your collection. If you are asked to donate PBSC, Gift of Life will arrange travel and hotel accommodations for your collection at the Adelson Collection Center in Boca Raton, Fla., at Gift of Life’s headquarters. Other collection centers are also available. A per diem allowance for meals is also provided. If you are asked to donate marrow, then travel and accommodations are organized so your procedure can take place at a location near to you.
Under federal regulations, no payment can be made to a donor for their PBSC, marrow, or other organs or tissues. We also can not compensate for time away from work to donate. However, the Life Saving Leave Act (H.R. 3024), introduced to Congress in April 2023, if passed, will set a national standard for employee leave to donate blood stem cells or marrow. This act would allow any employee to take 40 hours of unpaid leave without being required to use their own PTO, sick leave, vacation days, or the like and without putting their job in jeopardy. Using paid time off would be at the discretion of the employee.
Some states do already require employers to offer either paid or unpaid leave for donors. Download the PDF of our Donor Leave Regulations by State for an overview of regulations, but please check locally for details and changes and updates.
Most workplaces are excited and responsive when they learn that one of their employees can save a life, and some have special PTO policies for this purpose. Others allow fellow employees to give their PTO to a colleague.
While we cannot pay donors for going through with their collections, the personal gratification is indescribable. Knowing that you’ve helped give someone a chance at a healthy, productive life is an extraordinary feeling. Studies have shown that donors report a boost in self-esteem and 9 out of 10 say they would do it again. If you’d like to read what our donors say about saving a life, check out our donor stories here.