Bone marrow donor

[Beach Affiliate]

I know there are other places to ask about this (and I am) but wanted to ask a more...er...impartial? crowd about it.

There's a bone marrow registration drive coming up and I'm thinking of registering to be a donor.

Not a pussy but I heard that shit hurts like a mother fucker if you actually get called up.

Any experiences?

 

[chatmasta]

There's an initial screening which is just a cheek swab, and that's how they convince you to signup for the registry. Then when they find a match, they tell you. And how it used to be, at least, is that there was a painful operation to get your bone marrow out for the donor. But it sucks because once you know you're a match, of course you are going to want to donate your bone marrow unless you're an asshole. BUT that said, I think there might be a new procedure around now that is much less invasive/painful.

 

[Beach Affiliate]

There's an initial screening which is just a cheek swab, and that's how they convince you to signup for the registry. Then when they find a match, they tell you. And how it used to be, at least, is that there was a painful operation to get your bone marrow out for the donor. But it sucks because once you know you're a match, of course you are going to want to donate your bone marrow unless you're an asshole. BUT that said, I think there might be a new procedure around now that is much less invasive/painful.

Yeah, that's what I'm reading/hearing. And yeah, I'll end up doing it if I'm a match.

Just figured I'd ask around to see if I could find anyone that has done it that isn't on a related forum/message board so I could possibly get a more objective view on the process.

 

[Top Broski]

I think my uncle actually did it himself, I heard it's actually somewhat painful, but that was some time ago so I'd imagine that it's probably much less painful. Props to you though if you follow through with it.

 

[tencentpiece]

It used to be quite painful and they would literally take the marrow out of your hip, now they can usually just do a plasma transfer (basically a blood donation but they take the plasma out and give you your 'blood' back) to get the marrow.

I've been on the register since I was 18 and I've never been called up, chances are you won't either unless your asian (low donation rates and high need).

 

[Beach Affiliate]

It used to be quite painful and they would literally take the marrow out of your hip, now they can usually just do a plasma transfer (basically a blood donation but they take the plasma out and give you your 'blood' back) to get the marrow.

I've been on the register since I was 18 and I've never been called up, chances are you won't either unless your asian (low donation rates and high need).

Thanks.

They say its african americans that are in most need around here.

Luckily, I'm just a regular, plain ol' vanilla white boy.